Iron Ladle

Art Historical Context

**Iron Ladle** by Genevieve Jordan, created around 1941, captures the humble elegance of a traditional American kitchen tool through meticulous graphite and colored pencil on paperboard. Measuring 35 x 24.8 cm, this is part of the prestigious Index of American Design, a WPA-era project housed in the Gallery of Art's CG-W department. Jordan's precise rendering highlights the ladle's sturdy form, forged iron handle, and subtle patina, transforming an everyday object into a testament to early American craftsmanship. The Index of American Design (1935–1942) employed artists across the U.S. to document folk art, decorative arts, and utilitarian items, preserving cultural heritage amid the Great Depression. Jordan's contribution underscores the project's mission: to celebrate regional traditions and the artistry in ordinary tools like this ladle, likely used for cooking over open hearths in colonial or frontier homes. Through layered graphite for fine details and colored pencil for realistic tones, Jordan's technique evokes the ladle's texture and age, bridging fine art with design history. This piece invites visitors to appreciate how such drawings safeguard vanishing aspects of American life, blending historical documentation with artistic skill.