Mary E. Humes

American, 1911 - 2001

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This is a drawing of a Victorian-style dress. The full-skirted garment is rendered in monochrome, featuring a fitted bodice with long sleeves and a high collar. The fabric is adorned with an intricate pattern of small, repeating motifs. The skirt flows into delicate pleats, and the hem is accentuated with ruffles. The overall design of the dress suggests a historical or period costume. The artist has captured details like the texture of the fabric and the structure of the garment, giving the image depth and complexity.
Mary E. Humes, Costume, c. 1941, watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.9509

Costume

Mary E. Humes · c. 1941 · watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.9509
In the image, there is an eagle perched on a shield. The eagle is depicted with its wings partially spread, showcasing its feathers. The shield below the eagle features the colors of the American flag - red, white, and blue. Radiant lines behind the eagle convey a sense of power or reverence. The paper has an aged quality, adding a vintage feel.
Mary E. Humes, Stern Board, c. 1940, watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.14886

Stern Board

Mary E. Humes · c. 1940 · watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.14886
This is a painting of an eagle holding arrows and a branch. The image depicts a golden eagle with its wings spread wide. Featured on its chest is a shield bearing stars and red and white stripes. The eagle is perched on a collection of arrows, emphasizing strength. Alongside the arrows is an olive branch. The background is plain, allowing the details of the eagle's feathers and the colors of the shield to stand out. The composition conveys themes of patriotism and balance between power and peace. This is in style of John James Audubon.
Mary E. Humes, Stern Board, c. 1940, watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.14887

Stern Board

Mary E. Humes · c. 1940 · watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.14887
This is a drawing of a long dress with long sleeves, featuring a fitted bodice extending into a voluminous skirt. The dress has a central opening adorned with decorative trim running from the neckline to the hem. The fabric flows gracefully, indicated by shading used in the illustration. The style suggests a historical or theatrical costume design, with attention to the garment's structure and embellishments.
Mary E. Humes, Wedding Dress, 1940, graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.2985

Wedding Dress

Mary E. Humes · 1940 · graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.2985
The sculpture features a female figure standing on a rectangular pedestal. She is partially draped with a cloth covering her lower body and holding it in place with her right hand. Her left hand gently holds the drapery over her upper body. The figure's pose is slightly tilted with her gaze directed upwards. The sculpture is monochromatic with shades of gray and off-white, possibly made of a stone material like marble. Details in the hair, facial features, and folds of the drapery contribute to a lifelike appearance.
Mary E. Humes, "Galatea" Figurehead, c. 1940, watercolor and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.9970

"Galatea" Figurehead

Mary E. Humes · c. 1940 · watercolor and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.9970
This is a painting of a sculptural relief design. The image depicts an intricately designed relief within a semicircular frame. At the center is a detailed bust of an individual wearing 19th-century attire, featuring a formal suit with a red scarf and detailed facial features, surrounded by stylized acanthus leaves and decorative gold elements. The background is a soft, muted blue that contrasts with the warm tones of gold and red. The perimeter is bordered with a laurel wreath pattern.
Mary E. Humes, Stern Board from Ship "John Penrose", c. 1939, watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink and gouache on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.8086

Stern Board from Ship "John Penrose"

Mary E. Humes · c. 1939 · watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink and gouache on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.8086
The sculpture features a figure dressed in traditional attire reminiscent of Native American clothing. The figure wears a variety of colors, including blue, green, and red, with a yellow garment visible underneath. They are standing on a square base and holding an object in their right hand. The figure wears an elaborate headdress with a plume of feathers in brown and white. The sculpture appears to be made of a material that imitates the texture of 3-dimensional statues and the size is similar to that of a human.
Mary E. Humes, Cigar Store Pocahontas, c. 1939, watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.10071

Cigar Store Pocahontas

Mary E. Humes · c. 1939 · watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.10071
This is a drawing of a beaver surrounded by a decorative border promoting a business in hats and caps. The image features a centered beaver lying atop a log with intricate detailing of its fur and the texture of the wood. This beaver illustration is surrounded by a border of interwoven roses and leaves. Above and below the beaver, the text reads: "G. W. Duesberry, Dealer in HATS & CAPS," with "Richmond, Va." beneath it. The overall design is oval and has an antiquated, classic appeal.
Mary E. Humes, Hat Box - Top, c. 1939, watercolor, graphite, and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.8782

Hat Box - Top

Mary E. Humes · c. 1939 · watercolor, graphite, and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.8782
The image features a sculpture of a person's upper torso, portrayed as a bust showing only the head and shoulders. The statue has a lifelike design with detailed facial features, including blue eyes and a calm expression. The hair is styled to the side and deeply carved. The individual is clothed in a dark blue military uniform with gold epaulettes on the shoulders and large gold buttons on the chest. The sculpture is likely made from wood, with visible grain and some cracks on the face and chest. The figure is placed against a plain, light-colored background, emphasizing the bust's intricate details.
Mary E. Humes, Pilot House Ornament, c. 1939, watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.16898

Pilot House Ornament

Mary E. Humes · c. 1939 · watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.16898
This is a drawing of a vintage dress. The drawing shows an elaborate long dress with full sleeves and a high collar. The bodice is fitted and features detailed embroidery or beadwork patterns, seen cascading down the flowing skirt. The dress has an classic design, reminiscent of a historical style. The artist's signature, "Mary E. Humes W.P.A. VA," is noted in the lower right corner. The drawing is rendered in a soft monochrome palette, emphasizing texture and design.
Mary E. Humes, Wedding Dress, c. 1939, watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.3015

Wedding Dress

Mary E. Humes · c. 1939 · watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.3015