Patten

Art Historical Context

**Patten** by Charlotte Winter (c. 1936) captures the humble yet ingenious form of a wooden overshoe known as a patten, designed to elevate the foot above mud and water. Rendered in watercolor, graphite, and colored on paper (23 x 29 cm), this delicate work showcases Winter's meticulous hand, blending precise line work with subtle washes of color to evoke the patina of aged wood and metal fittings. Part of the National Gallery of's collection (CG-W Department, Index of American Design), it invites viewers to appreciate everyday objects from America's past. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s—this piece exemplifies a national effort during the Great Depression to document and celebrate American folk art and craftsmanship. Artists like Winter produced thousands of such renderings, preserving cultural artifacts through faithful, stylized illustrations that highlighted regional traditions and utilitarian design. The patten, rooted in colonial and early American life, reflects practical ingenuity in agrarian societies, underscoring themes of resilience and resourcefulness. Winter's artwork not only revives this overlooked item but also connects us to the broader mission of the Index: fostering pride in America's artistic heritage amid economic hardship. A charming window into history! (198 words)

About the Artist

Charlotte Winter · 1855–present

Charlotte Winter was an American artist who made her most lasting contribution during the late 1930s and early 1940s as a participant in the Index of American Design, a major New Deal program administered under the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project. The Index employed artists across the United States to document the nation's decorative arts heritage through meticulous watercolor ...