Candlestick

Art Historical Context

Dorothy Posten's *Candlestick* (c. 1937) is a captivating watercolor and gouache rendering from the Index of American Design, a landmark WPA Federal Art Project initiative (1935–1942). During the Great Depression, this program employed artists across the U.S. to document everyday American objects—from folk art to crafts—creating a visual archive that celebrated the nation's design heritage. Posten, one of over 400 contributors, meticulously captured the form and details of a historic candlestick, preserving its cultural essence for future generations. Rendered on paperboard in vibrant watercolor and opaque gouache, the work exemplifies the Index's emphasis on precision and realism. Gouache's velvety opacity allowed Posten to achieve luminous highlights and rich textures, mimicking the candlestick's material qualities—likely metal or ceramic—while watercolor added subtle depth and fluidity. Measuring 28 x 22.8 cm, its intimate scale invites close viewing, much like handling a treasured heirloom. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece underscores the Index's enduring legacy: over 15,000 renderings that highlight America's artistic ingenuity, from colonial pewter to Shaker simplicity. *Candlestick* reminds us how ordinary objects embody history, bridging craftsmanship and national identity in an era of economic hardship.

About the Artist

Dorothy Posten · 1855–present

Dorothy Posten was an American artist active during the mid-1930s, best known for her meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Launched in 1935, this ambitious endeavor employed artists across the United States to document the nation's folk art, crafts, and decorative traditions through detailed render...