Newel Post
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 30.5 x 17.5 cm (12 x 6 7/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16619
Art Historical Context
Behold the elegant *Newel Post*, a watercolor and graphite rendering from the Index of American Design, created between 1935 and 1942. This American 20th-century artwork, measuring a modest 30.5 x 17.5 cm, meticulously documents a traditional architectural element—the sturdy central post that anchors staircases in historic homes. Part of a monumental Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, the Index aimed to celebrate and preserve everyday American craftsmanship, from folk art to decorative objects, ensuring cultural heritage endured econo...
About the Artist
American 20th Century
"American 20th Century" is the designation used by major institutions such as the National Gallery of Art (NGA) for anonymous and unidentified artists active in the United States during the twentieth century. The artist's personal identity, early life, and training remain undocumented, reflecting the challenges of attribution for unattributed works from this era. No specific teachers, art schools,...