Top

Art Historical Context

**Top** by Mina Lowry (c. 1936) is a delicate rendering in watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper, measuring 28.6 x 22.2 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from the Great Depression era (1935–1942), this work meticulously documents a 5-inch-high American design object—a classic spinning top. Lowry, one of over 200 artists involved in the IAD, captured its form with precision, blending fine graphite outlines with vibrant gouache and translucent watercolor washes to highlight textures and colors. The IAD aimed to celebrate and preserve everyday American craftsmanship, from folk art to vernacular objects, fostering national pride amid economic hardship. Lowry's piece exemplifies this mission, transforming a simple toy into a study of functional beauty and cultural heritage. Gouache's opacity adds depth to the top's contours, while watercolor evokes its glossy sheen, showcasing techniques that made IAD plates both artistic and archival. Displayed at the National Gallery of Art, **Top** invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary playthings embodied American ingenuity, bridging art, history, and design in a single, enchanting sheet. (198 words)

About the Artist

Mina Lowry · 1894–1942

Mina Lowry (1894–1942), an American artist born in Canada, emerged as a prominent portrait painter whose career bridged traditional portraiture and the documentation of American folk art. Immigrating to Buffalo, New York, with her family around 1901, she honed her skills early on, winning first prize for modeling at the Albright Art School and studying under the esteemed Florence J. Bach. Lowry fu...