Gate Post Top
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paper
Dimensions
overall: 42.8 x 29.1 cm (16 7/8 x 11 7/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.11372
Art Historical Context
Henry Tomaszewski's *Gate Post Top* (c. 1938) is a delicate watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil rendering on paper, measuring 42.8 x 29.1 cm. This intricate study captures the ornate finial of a traditional American gate post, showcasing the craftsmanship of vernacular architecture. Created during the Great Depression, the work exemplifies the precision and artistry of Tomaszewski, an illustrator whose detailed technique brings architectural motifs to life with subtle shading and vibrant hues. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a WPA Federal Art Project initiative from 1935 t...