Pa. German Toy Merry-Go-Round
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 29.8 x 22.8 cm (11 3/4 x 9 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.3808
Art Historical Context
Behold the whimsical *Pa. German Toy Merry-Round*, a vibrant 1936 watercolor rendering by artist Mina Lowry, capturing the charm of Pennsylvania German folk art. This delightful depiction showcases a handcrafted toy merry-go-round, emblematic of the region's 18th- and 19th-century immigrant traditions from German settlers. Known for their bold colors, intricate carvings, and playful motifs, Pennsylvania German toys reflected a blend of European craftsmanship and American ingenuity, often entertaining children during harvest festivals or family gatherings. Created as part of the Index of Ameri...
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...