Pa. German Parrot

Art Historical Context

Behold the vibrant *Pa. German Parrot a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by artist Mina Lowry, created between 1935 and 1942. This work is part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project that employed artists during the Great Depression to meticulously document America's folk art heritage. Lowry's precise depiction captures a charming Pennsylvania German folk carving—a 6½-inch-long, 8⅛-inch-high wooden parrot—reflecting the whimsical carved figures popular among Pennsylvania Dutch communities in the 18th and 19th centuries. The IAD's mission was preservation through art: over 15,000 renderings like this one safeguarded everyday objects from obscurity, celebrating regional craftsmanship. Lowry's use of watercolor for luminous color and graphite for fine details on paperboard mimics the parrot's bold reds, greens, and carved textures, blending scientific accuracy with artistic flair. Pennsylvania German folk art, rooted in immigrant traditions from the Rhineland, often featured such playful birds as symbols of good fortune or household talismans. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece invites us to appreciate how everyday creativity shaped American identity, bridging past and present with enduring charm. (198 words)

About the Artist

Mina Lowry · 1894–1942

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...