Corner Wash-stand

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Corner Wash-stand*, meticulous 1936 rendering by artist Bernard Gussow, the graceful lines of an early American piece of furniture designed for compact corner placement. Measuring just 29.9 x 22.9 cm, this watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, and heightening on paperboard documents an original object standing 41 inches high,22½ inches wide, and inches deep—perfect for modest 19th-century homes where space was at a premium. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression, Gussow's work exemplifies the era's commitment to preserving everyday American craftsmanship. The IAD commissioned artists nationwide to produce over 15,000 precise, colorful depictions of folk art, tools, and decorative objects, safeguarding cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Gussow's skilled layering of media—watercolor for luminous tones, graphite for fine details, and heightening for subtle highlights—brings the wash-stand's utilitarian elegance to life, highlighting its Shaker-like simplicity and functional beauty. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece invites us to appreciate how ordinary household items embodied American ingenuity and thrift. It's a window into bygone domestic life, reminding visitors of the artistry in the everyday.