Hitching Post
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 35.5 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16557
Art Historical Context
Pearl Torell's *Hitching Post* (c. 1936) is a captivating watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering on paperboard, measuring 35.5 x 27.9 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design, this exemplifies the meticulous documentation of everyday American objects from the nation's folk art heritage. Torell, one of many skilled artists employed through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), captured the intricate details of a classic hitching post—a utilitarian fixture for securing horses outside homes, stores, or public buildings. The Index of American Design, launched in 1935 amid t...