Andiron (one of pair)
c. 1939
Medium
graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 30.2 x 22.2 cm (11 7/8 x 8 3/4 in.) Original IAD Object: 12 1/2" high; 10 7/8" deep; 10 3/16" wide; thickness of shaft: 1/2"
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.8210
Art Historical Context
This delicate graphite drawing on paperboard captures one of a pair of andons—ornate metal supports for firewood in traditional fireplaces—crafted in a style reflective of early American craftsmanship. Created around 1939 by artist Maurice Van Felix, the work measures 30.2 x 22.2 cm and meticulously documents an original object standing 12 1/2 inches high, with a 10 7/8-inch depth and 10 3/16-inch width. Van Felix's precise lines and shading highlight the andiron's sculptural form, from its sturdy shaft (1/2-inch thick) to decorative flourishes, evoking the functional beauty of colonial-era he...
About the Artist
Maurice Van Felix
Maurice Van Felix was born on March 16, 1889, in Łódź, Poland, and later became a prominent figure in American art circles after immigrating to the United States. His early training took place in Poland and France, where he honed his skills as a painter and etcher before settling in Brooklyn, New York, by 1919. Though details of his formal education remain sparse, Van Felix quickly established him...