Nutcracker
c. 1941
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 22 x 16.9 cm (8 11/16 x 6 5/8 in.) Original IAD Object: 6 1/4" high; 2" in diameter
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16654
Art Historical Context
**Nutcracker** *Artist: Mina Lowry, c. 1941* *Watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard, 22 x 16.9 cm (8 11/16 x 6 5/8 in.)* *Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art* This delightful rendering by Mina Lowry captures a whimsical wooden nutcracker, a humble yet charming example of American folk craft. Measuring just 6 1/4 inches high and 2 inches in diameter in its original form, the object likely served practical holiday purposes while embodying playful craftsmanship. Lowry's precise depiction highlights its carved details—perhaps a cheerful face or sturdy form—evoking th...
About the Artist
Mina Lowry
Mina Lowry (1894–1942), an American artist born in Canada, emerged as a prominent portrait painter whose career bridged traditional portraiture and the documentation of American folk art. Immigrating to Buffalo, New York, with her family around 1901, she honed her skills early on, winning first prize for modeling at the Albright Art School and studying under the esteemed Florence J. Bach. Lowry fu...