Patchwork Squares
c. 1941
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 28.8 x 49.4 cm (11 5/16 x 19 7/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.452
Art Historical Context
"Patchwork Squares" is a delicate rendering created around 1941 by Charlotte Angus as part of the Index of American Design, a Depression-era initiative of the Works Progress Administration. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this watercolor and graphite drawing on paper measures just under 12 by 20 inches and captures the geometric charm of traditional American quilt patterns with remarkable precision. The work reflects the Index’s mission to document and preserve the nation’s decorative arts heritage at a time when many handmade objects were disappearing. Angus employed transparent washe...
About the Artist
Charlotte Angus
Charlotte Angus (1911–1989) was an American artist renowned for her meticulous watercolors and graphite drawings that captured the essence of American folk art and historical artifacts. Born on February 2, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri, she relocated to Philadelphia at a young age, where she immersed herself in the city's vibrant artistic community. Angus honed her skills at the University of the...