Plate Treen

Art Historical Context

"Plate Treen," a meticulously rendered watercolor and graphite drawing by Wellington Blewett from 1938, captures the humble elegance of American folk craftsmanship. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942)—this work documents a wooden plate, or "treen," exemplifying everyday objects made from turned wood that were staples in colonial and early American households. Blewett's precise depiction preserves these artifacts' subtle grains, forms, and patinas, safeguarding a vanishing tradition amid the Great Depression era. The medium of watercolor and graphite on paper was ideal for the Index's goal of accurate, colorful reproductions. Watercolor conveys the wood's warm tones and textures, while graphite adds fine details, creating a hyper-realistic study that rivals photography. Measuring 45.8 x 35.6 cm, it reflects the project's emphasis on artistic skill to elevate utilitarian design into fine art. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece highlights America's rich material culture, bridging craft and design history. It invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary items embodied ingenuity and regional aesthetics, offering a tangible link to our forebears' daily lives.

About the Artist

Wellington Blewett · 1875–1962

**Wellington Blewett (1875–1962)** was a Canadian-born American artist renowned for his meticulous watercolor renderings of everyday American folk objects. Active primarily in the late 1930s, Blewett contributed significantly to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) that sought to document the nation's vernacular artistic heritage through...