Money Bag

Art Historical Context

"Money Bag" is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Roberta Spicer, created around 1936. Measuring 28.6 x 22.6 cm, this delicate work on paperboard captures the intricate details of a traditional American folk object—a sturdy pouch designed for safeguarding coins and valuables. Spicer's precise technique highlights the bag's textures, stitches, and form, blending soft watercolor washes with sharp graphite lines to evoke both functionality and charm. This piece is part of the Index of American Design, a WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942. During the Great Depression, over 200 artists documented thousands of everyday American objects—from quilts to tools—preserving the nation's cultural heritage through meticulous illustrations. Spicer's contribution exemplifies this effort, transforming a humble money bag into a symbol of colonial-era craftsmanship and self-reliance. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, "Money Bag" invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary items reflect broader stories of American ingenuity and tradition. It's a testament to the program's role in celebrating folk art amid economic hardship, reminding us of the artistry in the everyday.

About the Artist

Roberta Spicer · 1855–present

Roberta Spicer was an American artist active around 1935, best known for her contributions to the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project initiative launched during the Great Depression. This ambitious New Deal program commissioned artists across the United States to create precise watercolor renderings of historical American folk art, crafts, and everyd...