Toy School House

Art Historical Context

**Toy School House** by Raoul Du Bois, created around 1936, captures the charm of an American folk toy through meticulous watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper (29.4 x 23.4 cm). Part of the Index of American Design—a WPA Federal Art Project from the Great Depression era—this rendering documents everyday objects as cultural treasures, preserving the nation's artistic heritage amid economic hardship. Du Bois, a skilled illustrator, renders the original toy (10 inches long, 7 1/8 inches high) with precision, blending soft watercolor washes for depth, graphite for fine lines, and gouache for vibrant opacity. The artwork showcases a quaint schoolhouse toy, likely a handmade plaything evoking 19th-century American childhoods. Such folk toys, often crafted from wood by local artisans, reflect community values like education and domesticity. Du Bois's technique elevates it to fine art, highlighting textures and colors with documentary accuracy. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece underscores the IAD's mission: to celebrate vernacular design and inspire national pride. Visitors today can appreciate how it bridges craft and culture, reminding us of simpler joys in American history.