Bandbox Design
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 35.2 x 54.1 cm (13 7/8 x 21 5/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16472
Art Historical Context
**Bandbox Design** by Martin Partyka, created around 1937, captures the vibrant charm of American folk craft through a precise rendering in watercolor, graphite, andache on paper (35.2 x 54.1 cm). Bandboxes were practical 19th-century storage containers—often cylindrical boxes for collars, hats, or linens—adorned with colorful printed paper featuring patriotic motifs, floral patterns, or scenic vignettes. Partyka's design showcases this decorative tradition, highlighting the ingenuity of everyday American objects that blended utility with whimsy. This artwork is a gem from the *Index of Ameri...
About the Artist
Martin Partyka
Martin Partyka is an artist whose biographical record is sparse. No confirmed dates of birth or death have been established, and his nationality and geographic context remain unverified in the available literature. Despite this uncertainty, Partyka's surviving works — held in museum collections — indicate an active artistic practice. The number and range of pieces attributed to him suggest a work...