Comb
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 36.7 x 28.7 cm (14 7/16 x 11 5/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.2383
Art Historical Context
Behold the intricate *Comb*, a captivating watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering by John H. Tercuzzi, created around 1939. Measuring 36.7 x 28.7 cm, this work meticulously captures the form and ornamentation of an everyday American object transformed into art. Tercuzzi's skilled hand brings to life the comb's delicate lines and textures, blending fine pen work for precision with soft watercolor washes for depth and graphite for subtle shading. This piece is a gem from the Index of American Design (IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s and 1940s. Amid the Great Depr...
About the Artist
John H. Tercuzzi
John H. Tercuzzi was an American artist active during the late 1930s and early 1940s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious endeavor commissioned artists to document everyday American objects—from folk crafts and tools to decorative household items—through meticulous watercolo...