Hand Holds

Art Historical Context

"Hand Holds" is a watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil by Alexander Anderson, created in 1940 as part of the Index of American Design. This ambitious New Deal-era project, sponsored by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, employed artists across the United States to document everyday objects embodying America's folk art and decorative traditions. Anderson's precise depiction captures the utilitarian beauty of hand holds—likely functional hardware or architectural elements—highlighting their role in everyday American life and craftsmanship. Rendered on paperboard measuring 24.3 x 35 cm, the work exemplifies the Index's signature style: meticulous graphite underdrawings enhanced with vibrant watercolors and colored pencils for lifelike texture and depth. This mixed-media technique allowed artists to faithfully reproduce three-dimensional forms, colors, and patinas, preserving cultural artifacts that might otherwise fade into obscurity. As a cornerstone of the National Gallery of Art's collection, "Hand Holds" underscores the Index's enduring legacy in celebrating vernacular design. It invites visitors to appreciate the artistry in the ordinary, connecting Depression-era documentation efforts to our shared American heritage.