Wall Paper Border
c. 1936
Medium
gouache and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 29.8 x 22.7 cm (11 3/4 x 8 15/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 1 3/8" wide
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16059
Art Historical Context
**Wall Paper Border** by George Robin, created around 1936, is a meticulous gouache and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 29.8 x 22.7 cm. This delicate study captures the intricate details of a traditional American wallpaper border, originally just 1 3/8 inches wide. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD)—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project—Robin's work preserves everyday decorative arts from America's past, transforming humble household patterns into celebrated cultural artifacts. During the Great Depression, the IAD employed artists like Robin to document folk art, cra...