Wooden Pig

Art Historical Context

**Wooden Pig** *Wilbur M. Rice, 1935/1942* Watercolor and graphite on paper 22.9 × 29.9 cm (9 × 11 3/4 in.) Index of American Design, National of Art This charming watercolor and graphite rendering by Wilbur M. Rice captures delightful hand-carved wooden pig, quintessential piece of American folk art. Measuring 6 inches long, 4 inches high, 1 1/2 inches wide its original form, the diminutive sculpture likely served as a toy, whirligig, or humble decorative object, crafted by an anonymous artisan with simple tools and a keen eye for whimsical form. Rice's precise technique—blending the fluidity of watercolor for texture and depth with graphite's sharp lines for detail—brings the pig's plump curves, sturdy legs, and expressive snout to life, evoking the tactile warmth of vernacular woodworking traditions. Created during the Great Depression as part of the Federal Art Project's Index of American Design (1935–1942), this work exemplifies a New Deal-era effort to document and celebrate everyday American craftsmanship. Sponsored by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the IAD employed artists like Rice to produce over 18,000 meticulous illustrations of folk objects, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. By highlighting such humble artifacts, it underscored the artistic value in ordinary American life, bridging fine art with the democratizing spirit of regional folk traditions. Today, *Wooden Pig* invites us to appreciate the ingenuity of self-taught makers, reminding visitors of the enduring joy found in simple, hand-hewn creations that shaped early American identity.

About the Artist

Wilbur M Rice · 1909–1974

**Wilbur M. Rice (1909–1974)** was an American artist best known for his meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Active primarily between 1935 and 1942, Rice produced detailed watercolor, gouache, and graphite renderings of everyday American folk objects, tools, toys, and crafts. Thes...