Andiron (one of pair)

Art Historical Context

This delicate graphite drawing by Mildred Ford captures one of a pair of andons—traditional fireplace supports designed to elevate logs for efficient burning. Created around 1936, the artwork meticulously renders an original object standing 11½ inches high, showcasing its form on a sheet measuring 27.3 x 21.6 cm. Andirons, often crafted with ornamental flair, were essential hearth accessories in American homes, symbolizing both functionality and craftsmanship. Ford's piece is part of the *Index of American Design*, a landmark Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. During the Great Depression, this initiative employed artists to document the nation's folk and decorative arts through precise renderings, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Graphite on paper allowed for fine detail and shading, highlighting textures and contours that celebrated everyday American ingenuity. Displayed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this work invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary objects embody history. Ford's accurate depiction not only archives a vanishing craft but also underscores the WPA's role in fostering artistic talent and national pride.

About the Artist

Mildred Ford · 1895–1988

Mildred Ford (1895–1988) was an American artist whose career is indelibly linked to the Index of American Design, a monumental Works Progress Administration (WPA) project launched in the 1930s to document the nation's rich heritage of decorative arts and folk objects. Through her precise renderings, Ford helped preserve intricate details of everyday artifacts—from toleware utensils to Pennsylvania...