Pa. German Parrot c. 1939

Giacinto Capelli created this watercolor and graphite drawing of a Pa. German Parrot, sometime in the first half of the 20th century. It’s part of a collection of artworks made under the auspices of the Index of American Design, a New Deal project that employed artists to record examples of American material culture. These artworks celebrated the skills and traditions of ordinary people in the decorative arts. The parrot is an interesting choice, since the Pennsylvania Germans, or "Dutch," were known for their distinctive folk art, often embellished with images of tulips, hearts, and distelfinks, stylized birds that symbolized good luck. In representing this popular form, the Index of American Design helped to define the cultural heritage of the United States. This collection allows us to see how the American government helped shape artistic production and cultural values during a time of economic hardship and uncertainty. By studying such works, we can better understand the public role of art.