Perique Tobacco Cutter

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Perique Tobacco Cutter*, vibrant 1937 watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering by artist Al Curry, measuring 17⅝ × 14⁹⁄₁₆ inches. This meticulous depiction captures a specialized wooden tool from Louisiana's unique Perique tobacco industry—a rare, fermented tobacco prized for its rich, spicy flavor and used in premium pipe blends. The cutter's sturdy blade and ergonomic handle evoke the hands-on craftsmanship of early 20th-century folk traditions in St. James Parish, where Perique production remains a closely guarded art. Created for the Index of American Design (IAD), a Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, Curry's work preserves vanishing elements of American material culture. Launched in 1935, the IAD commissioned artists to document folk objects through precise, colorful renderings, blending artistic skill with historical documentation. This piece exemplifies that mission, highlighting regional ingenuity amid economic hardship. Curry's technique—layered watercolor for lifelike hues, graphite for fine details, and ink for sharp outlines—lends a timeless quality, making the everyday tool a celebrated artifact. Today, at the National Gallery of Art, it invites visitors to appreciate how such designs rooted America's diverse heritage. (198 words)

About the Artist

Al Curry · 1855–present

**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...