Second Floor Stair Landing and Hall 1935 - 1942

Perkins Harnly made this watercolor painting of a Second Floor Stair Landing and Hall sometime in the mid-20th century. Harnly worked for the Federal Art Project, a division of the Works Progress Administration, which was established in 1935, during the Great Depression in the United States. With the goal of supporting artists and promoting American art, The Federal Art Project commissioned artists to create works that reflected American life and culture. This painting, with its opulent interior and symbols of wealth, perhaps reflects the aspirations of a society recovering from economic hardship. The peacock, a symbol of beauty and luxury, and the carefully arranged details of the room, speak to a desire for refinement. As art historians, we might delve into the archives of the WPA to understand the specific goals and guidelines given to artists during this period, we can explore the cultural values and social realities of the time.