Andiron (one of pair)

Art Historical Context

This delicate watercolor and graphite rendering captures an andiron, one of a pair of sturdy fireplace supports used in early American homes. Created around 1937 by artist Hans Korsch, the work belongs to the Index of American Design, a New Deal initiative that employed hundreds of artists to document the nation’s decorative arts heritage. Through precise, measured drawings like this one, the project preserved the intricate details of everyday objects from the colonial era through the nineteenth century, many of which were disappearing as industrialization advanced. Korsch’s choice of watercolor and graphite on paperboard allowed him to convey both the metallic sheen and the subtle surface textures of the original iron object, which stood nearly twenty-nine inches tall. Such meticulous technique was essential to the Index’s goal of creating an accurate visual archive that could serve designers, historians, and the public alike. Today, this study offers viewers a window into both the craftsmanship of early American metalworkers and the artistic efforts of the 1930s to celebrate and safeguard that 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...