Petroglyph

Art Historical Context

"Petroglyph" is a captivating lithograph on paper created by Lala Eve Rivol between 1935 and 1942. Measuring approximately 36.9 x 27.9 cm (with a larger sheet of 46.9 x 38 cm), this work belongs to the National Gallery of's Index of American Design. Rivol, an artist involved in this ambitious project, skillfully rendered ancient Native American rock carvings—known as petroglyphscapturing their mysterious forms etched into stone over centuries. The Index of American Design was a landmark initiative of the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. From 1935 to 1942, hundreds of artists like Rivol produced detailed watercolor renderings, drawings, and prints of everyday American objects, folk art, and indigenous designs. These "index cards" aimed to document and celebrate the nation's diverse cultural heritage, preserving motifs from quilts and pottery to petroglyphs for future generations. Lithography, the chosen medium here, allowed for precise reproduction of intricate details, making the artwork both an artistic achievement and a historical record. "Petroglyph" highlights the enduring cultural significance of Native American rock art, symbols of spiritual and communal life that Rivol brought to life with a modern touch. A testament to American ingenuity in tough times, it invites visitors to ponder the deep roots of our shared design legacy.

About the Artist

Lala Eve Rivol · 1913–1996

Lala Eve Rivol is an artist about whom very little has been documented in readily accessible art historical sources. Her nationality, dates, training, and the full scope of her artistic output remain unclear, placing her among the many artists — often women — whose careers were not systematically recorded or preserved in the mainstream institutional record. Where her work has been catalogued, it ...