Materials from Quilt
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, gouache, pen and ink, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 22.9 x 28 cm (9 x 11 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.984
Art Historical Context
**Materials from Quilt** by Dorothy Posten, created around 1937, is a meticulous study rendered in watercolor, gouache, pen and ink, and graphite on paperboard. Measuring just 9 x 11 inches, this intimate work captures the tactile essence of quilt fabrics through vibrant colors and fine details, showcasing Posten's skill in rendering textures and patterns with precision. As part of the *Index of American Design* (IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942, this piece reflects the era's effort to document and celebrate everyday American folk art during the Great Depression. Art...
About the Artist
Dorothy Posten
Dorothy Posten was an American artist active during the mid-1930s, best known for her meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Launched in 1935, this ambitious endeavor employed artists across the United States to document the nation's folk art, crafts, and decorative traditions through detailed render...