Tippet and Muff

Art Historical Context

This watercolor and graphite drawing, titledpet and Muff, created by Hans Mangels around 1938. 17½ by 13¾ inches, it forms part of the Index of Design at the National Gallery of Art. The work depicts a tippet and muff, fashionable accessories that reflect historical American attire. Produced for the Index of American Design, a New Deal project of the Works Progress Administration, this piece captures the initiative’s goal of documenting the nation’s decorative arts heritage. During the Great Depression, artists created precise renderings of objects from colonial times through the nineteenth century, preserving a visual record of American craftsmanship in furniture, textiles, and everyday items. Mangelsdorf’s combination of watercolor and graphite produced the fine detail and subtle shading typical of these documentary illustrations. Such works served as educational resources, highlighting both the evolution of American fashion and the skill invested in historical objects. Today the drawing offers visitors insight into costume history and the era’s effort to celebrate national identity through art.