Pa. German Pins
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 32.2 x 42.5 cm (12 11/16 x 16 3/4 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.13007
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Pennsylvania German folk with *Pa. German Pins*, meticulous watercolor and graphite rendering by Selma Sandler, between 1935 and1942. This delicate work on paper, measuring 32.2 x 42. cm, captures the intricate designs of traditional pins—likely decorative brooches fasteners—from the Pennsylvania Dutch community. Sandler's precise lines and luminous washes highlight the bold colors, geometric patterns, and motifs typical of this ethnic group's craftsmanship, evoking a sense of everyday elegance from 18th- and 19th-century rural life. As part of the Index of Amer...