Drawing for Plate 12: From the Portfolio "Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania" c. 1939

Curator: What a charming image! This is "Drawing for Plate 12: From the Portfolio 'Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania'," created around 1939 as part of the Index of American Design. It reflects Pennsylvania German folk art traditions through watercolor and other paint mediums. Editor: My first impression is joy and simplicity. The bright, bold colors and stylized birds give it an uplifting, almost whimsical feel. Curator: Absolutely. The Index was a project of the WPA during the Depression, aiming to document and preserve American decorative arts and folk traditions. This particular drawing likely depicts a motif common on fraktur, a type of decorated manuscript often used for birth certificates or family records. Editor: The heart-shaped floral forms and the two birds… are they symbols of love and family, perhaps? Pennsylvania German folk art is brimming with meaning. Curator: Precisely. The hearts and the flourishing plants may indeed symbolize growth and love. Birds are often messengers, connecting the earthly and spiritual realms. They may relate to specific familial hopes or blessings. Given its association with baptismal certificates, there are connotations of peace, spirituality and devotion within domestic life. Editor: Notice how simplified the shapes are; geometric almost. But within those basic shapes there is dynamic symmetry, reflecting an almost utopian view of everyday life. The red against the dark green gives this artwork a palpable boldness, that adds to its almost magical presence. Curator: And let’s not forget the context! The WPA sought to foster a sense of national identity and pride during a difficult time. By celebrating these folk traditions, they were also affirming the value and beauty of everyday life. Editor: This simple drawing, with its folk motifs, speaks volumes. A tangible connection to family, cultural heritage, and the enduring human spirit. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us of the power of art to connect us to the past, to our values, and to each other.