Doll and Costume c. 1936

Mary E. Humes created this watercolor and graphite artwork, "Doll and Costume," as part of the Federal Art Project. The Index of American Design, or IAD, a New Deal program, employed artists to document American decorative and folk arts. This image of a doll, with its accompanying costume sketch, speaks to the project's mission of preserving and celebrating American material culture. The choice of a doll as subject matter highlights the importance of childhood and play in shaping cultural identity. It evokes nostalgia for simpler times, a common theme during the Great Depression. The IAD played a crucial role in defining American art, shifting away from European models and celebrating regional and vernacular forms. Art historians often use IAD images to reconstruct past material culture and understand the values and beliefs of different communities. This artwork, and others like it, invite us to consider the role of institutions in shaping our understanding of art and American identity.