Andiron

Art Historical Context

This delicate watercolor and graphite rendering captures an andiron, a sturdy metal support once essential for holding logs in American fireplaces. Created by Hans Korsch between 1935 and 1942 as part of the Index of American Design, the work belongs to a remarkable federal project that employed artists to document the nation’s decorative arts heritage during the Great Depression. Through precise line work and subtle washes of color, Korsch recorded both the functional form and decorative details of the original object—measuring 24½ inches high and 20⅜ inches long—for future study and preservation. The medium of watercolor on paperboard allowed Korsch to convey the object’s metallic sheen and three-dimensional presence while remaining faithful to its historic character. Such renderings were not intended as independent artworks but as accurate visual records, helping to safeguard knowledge of everyday American craftsmanship at a time when many traditional objects risked being forgotten. Today this sheet offers visitors a window into both the utilitarian beauty of early American metalwork and the broader cultural effort to celebrate the nation’s design legacy.

About the Artist

Hans Korsch · 1855–present

Hans Korsch was an American artist active during the mid-20th century, primarily around 1935 to the early 1950s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious New Deal program employed artists to document everyday American folk art and design objects through precise watercolor renderi...