Corner Cupboard c. 1937

George V. Vezolles made this drawing of a corner cupboard, but we don't know when. The Index of American Design—a New Deal project—employed artists during the depression to document American material culture. This drawing prompts questions about what and how the Index chose to record, and how it was meant to serve the public. The cupboard is rendered with care and precision, but as a drawing, it lacks the tactile qualities of the wooden original. Does this flatten the object, turning it into a mere record? Or does it, as an artistic rendering, elevate the cupboard to something more? Perhaps the drawing democratizes the cupboard, making it available to a wider audience. Understanding the cupboard’s social and economic context could further illuminate its meaning. Researching similar pieces, the tastes of the era, and the families who owned them might reveal why the Index chose this specific cupboard. By studying this drawing, we can begin to appreciate the complex interplay between art, documentation, and social history.