Horse Statue

Art Historical Context

Alf Bruseth's *Horse Statue* (c. 1937) a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering on paper, measuring 27.2 x 35.6 cm. This detailed drawing captures the form of a monumental original sculpture—81 inches high and 90 inches longlikely a folk art masterpiece evoking the spirit of American craftsmanship. Bruseth's precise lines in graphite, enhanced by vibrant watercolor washes, bring out the horse's dynamic pose and textured surfaces, blending technical accuracy with artistic flair. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a Works Progress Administration (WPA) initiative from 1935 to 1942, this work exemplifies a Depression-era effort to document and celebrate everyday American design. Artists like Bruseth produced thousands of such plates to preserve regional folk art, from weathervanes to carvings, safeguarding cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it highlights how ordinary objects embodied national pride and ingenuity. Today, *Horse Statue* invites us to appreciate the artistry in functional forms, reminding visitors of America's rich tradition of sculptural whimsy—perhaps a trade sign or carousel figure—frozen in time through Bruseth's skilled hand.

About the Artist

Alf Bruseth · 1855–present

Alf Bruseth (1898–1974) was born on May 10, 1898, in Silvana, Washington, a small logging community in Snohomish County. As a self-taught artist specializing in watercolor and drawings, Bruseth honed his skills independently before entering the professional art world during the Great Depression. In 1938, he submitted his portfolio to Robert Bruce Inverarity, supervisor of the Federal Art Project i...