Clothes Washer

Art Historical Context

**Clothes Washer** by Alexander Anderson (1940) is a meticulous watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, capturing the humble ingenuity of an early American laundry device. Measuring 28 x 35.8 cm (11 x 14 1/8 in.), this artwork depicts the original object—a compact clothes washer 19 1/2 inches long and 10 1/2 inches high, featuring a 4-inch-diameter drum and 1 1/2-inch rollers. Created as part of the Federal Art Project's Index of American Design (IAD), it showcases everyday craftsmanship from America's past, blending technical precision with artistic sensitivity. The IAD, launched in 1935 amid the Great Depression, employed artists to document folk art, crafts, and design through over 15,000 detailed illustrations. Anderson's piece exemplifies this mission, highlighting a practical household tool likely from the 19th or early 20th century. Watercolor's translucent layers and graphite's fine lines allowed for vivid textures—the gleam of metal rollers, the sturdy wooden frame—preserving cultural artifacts that might otherwise be lost. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection (Department: CG-W), this work celebrates American resourcefulness, reminding visitors of the labor-saving innovations that shaped domestic life. It's a window into how design met daily needs, inviting us to appreciate the artistry in utility.