Wall Paper

Art Historical Context

"Wall Paper" is a captivating rendering by artist Paul Farkas, created 1937 as part of the Index of American Design. This New Deal-era project, launched in 1935 under the Progress Administration (WPA), employed artists across the U.S. to document everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objects through precise watercolor studies. Farkas's contribution preserves a charming wallpaper pattern, highlighting the ingenuity of American design traditions during a time of economic hardship. Executed in watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard (29.4 x 22.8 cm), the work showcases masterful techniques for capturing texture and color. Watercolor and gouache lend luminous vibrancy to the motifs, while graphite adds fine details, making the floral or geometric elements pop with lifelike precision. These media were ideal for the Index's goal of creating an accurate visual archive, akin to a national treasure trove of cultural heritage. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece underscores the cultural importance of everyday designs in shaping American identity. It reflects how WPA initiatives not only provided jobs for artists like Farkas but also celebrated the nation's artistic roots, ensuring patterns from homes and public spaces endure for future generations to appreciate.