Coverlet c. 1938

Editor: Here we have "Coverlet," a mixed media drawing and textile by Mary E. Humes, created around 1938. The color palette, and the almost pixelated, woven look, feels very grounded and almost nostalgic to me. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting you say "nostalgic." Considering the date, this work exists within the context of the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. Can you imagine what it meant for an artist like Humes, likely working class, to be given state support during the Depression? Editor: It’s incredible to think about the government supporting artists in that way! So, this wasn't just personal expression, but also a product of social policy? Curator: Exactly. These weren’t simply individual artworks; they represented a larger, coordinated effort to promote and preserve American folk art traditions during a period of immense economic hardship and cultural uncertainty. Does knowing this change your reading of the work? Editor: Definitely! The fact that it's documenting a coverlet, something functional and domestic, speaks volumes about valuing everyday life and traditions during a difficult time. Was this type of documentation common? Curator: Very much so. The Index of American Design, a part of the FAP, aimed to create a visual record of American material culture, from furniture to textiles, emphasizing regional styles and craftsmanship. The goal was preservation, but also the construction of a national artistic identity rooted in the everyday. Editor: That gives the artwork a whole new layer of meaning, understanding the politics of imagery! It is not only folk art but is, as you say, intrinsically American in that specific setting. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! Looking at art with historical context allows us to grasp its role in society at the time. A fruitful investigation!