Ladder Back Chair c. 1937

Adelaide Dyball created this watercolor painting of a ‘Ladder Back Chair,’ and it offers a unique perspective into early 20th-century American material culture. Dyball's choice to depict such a commonplace object elevates the everyday, prompting us to consider the cultural significance of domestic items. In the United States during this time, there was a growing interest in preserving and celebrating American heritage. This painting speaks to the Arts and Crafts movement, which valued handcrafted objects and sought to counter the mass-produced goods of industrial society. The chair, with its simple design and woven seat, embodies the values of functionality and craftsmanship. To understand this work better, we might explore the Index of American Design, a New Deal project that documented American decorative arts. By examining the social and institutional context in which this painting was made, we can gain insight into the cultural values and artistic trends of the time.