Wig Block

Art Historical Context

Discover the intriguing *Wig Block*, a precise watercolor and graphite rendering on paper by Mildred E., created between 1935 and 1942. Measuring 34.3 x 43.2 cm, this work captures the smooth, wooden form used by wig makers—a practical tool shaped like a human head for styling and fitting elaborate powdered wigs popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries.'s delicate brushwork brings out the block's subtle grain and contours, blending soft watercolor hues with fine graphite lines for a lifelike quality. This piece is a gem from the Index of American Design, a ambitious WPA Federal Art Project launched during the Great Depression. Over 200 artists produced more than 15,000 such watercolors to document everyday American crafts, folk art, and decorative objects, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. By rendering historical artifacts like this wig block with scientific accuracy, the Index celebrated the ingenuity of American artisans and provided vital employment for talents like Bent. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art, *Wig Block* invites us to appreciate the unsung tools behind fashion history, reminding visitors of how ordinary objects reflect broader cultural stories. A testament to both preservation and artistry!

About the Artist

Mildred E. Bent · 1855–present

Mildred E. Bent remains one of the more elusive figures in early twentieth-century American art, her biographical details largely undocumented in the historical record. She appears to have worked within the traditions of her era, producing a body of work substantial enough to leave a meaningful impression in the collections that have preserved her name, even as the personal circumstances of her tr...