Bandbox or Hat Box

Jessie M. Youngs

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a decorative box adorned with pastoral scenes. The box is decorated with rural scenes that feature a settlement with a cabin, trees, and a windmill against a blue background. The sides of the box depict a procession of horse-drawn wagons, laden with goods and followed by nature depictions such as trees and possibly a stream. The top of the box features landscape illustrations which provide a connection to the scenes on the sides. This is in the style of American Folk Art, characterized by its naive perspective and representations of rural life, rendered in simple shapes and colors.