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 preserva...

About the Artist

Hans Korsch

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...