Wall Paper Border
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 29 x 22.7 cm (11 7/16 x 8 15/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 28 1/4" high; 22 1/4" wide
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16029
Art Historical Context
**Wall Paper Border** by Jack Staloff, created around 1937, is a delicate rendering of an American wallpaper design, captured in watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard. Measuring about 29 x 22.7 cm, this work showcases Staloff's meticulous hand in depicting repeating motifs typical of period decorative arts—likely floral or geometric patterns suited for home interiors. The combination of translucent watercolor washes, opaque gouache for bold accents, and fine graphite lines allowed for vivid, accurate reproduction of textures and colors, making it a standout example of technical preci...
About the Artist
Jack Staloff
Jack Staloff was an American artist and designer active during the 1930s and 1940s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a New Deal-era Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create precise watercolor and graphite renderings of everyday American crafts, tools, and dec...