Pine Knot Flare Holder
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor and colored pencil on paper
Dimensions
overall: 43.6 x 36.2 cm (17 3/16 x 14 1/4 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.10316
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Pine Knot Flare Holder a captivating watercolor and colored pencil rendering by Al Curry, created around 1939. This detailed depiction captures a humble yet ingenious American folk craft: a utilitarian holder crafted from a pine knot—a dense, resin-rich section of pine wood—designed to secure flares for illumination in rural or industrial settings, such as logging camps or mines. Measuring 43.6 x 36.2 cm, its modest scale belies the object's rustic charm and practicality. As part of the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) f...
About the Artist
Al Curry
**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...