Pa. German Plate

Art Historical Context

Eugene Shellady painted "Pa. German Plate" in 1937 using oil on paperboard. Measuring 19 5/8 by 14 5/8 inches, the work belongs to the Index of American Design at the National Gallery of Art, a collection devoted to recording American decorative arts and folk objects through careful artistic renderings. The painting depicts a Pennsylvania German plate, bringing attention to the craft traditions of German immigrant communities in Pennsylvania. Oil on paperboard provided a sturdy support that captured the object's shape, surface, and character with lasting clarity, serving as a visual record rather than a purely imaginative composition. As part of the Index, this piece helps preserve everyday cultural artifacts that might otherwise have been lost. It invites viewers to consider how ordinary household items embody history, skill, and community identity, offering a window into America's diverse material heritage through the eyes of a 1930s artist.

About the Artist

Eugene Shellady · 1855–present

**Eugene Shellady: Documenting American Folk Art Treasures** Eugene Shellady was an American artist active around 1935, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a monumental Works Progress Administration (WPA) project under the Federal Art Project. Launched in 1935 and continuing through 1942, the Index employed some 400 artists across 34 states to create over 18,000 prec...