Doll c. 1936

Mary E. Humes created this watercolor and graphite drawing of a doll's costume as part of the Index of American Design. The Index was a fascinating project within the WPA, the Works Progress Administration, in the 1930s and 40s. It employed artists to document American material culture, aiming to define a national artistic identity during the Depression. It also gave women and minority artists opportunities they might not otherwise have had. The doll's dress, with its frills and quaint floral pattern, speaks to a particular vision of American girlhood. Note the detailed rendering, meant for a practical pattern. But the Index also reflected a specific cultural agenda, promoting a certain idea of American values rooted in craft and tradition. Looking at this image, we can consider the role of government-sponsored art in shaping national identity. Historians consult archives, period publications, and WPA records to better understand the complex cultural politics of projects like the Index.