Pipe Stand

Art Historical Context

Herman Schulze's *Pipe Stand* (c. 1941), a watercolor and graphite rendering on paper, captures the of an everyday American folk object from the Index of American Design (IAD). Measuring 36.5 x 29.3 cm overall, this work meticulously documents a small original pipe stand—3 1/8 inches wide and 4 3/4 inches high—likely carved wooden accessory for holding tobacco pipes, reflecting 19th-century domestic craftsmanship. Created as part of the I, a Works Progress AdministrationWPA) project from1935 to 194, Schulze's drawing vanishing examples of American material culture the Great Depression. TheAD employed artists nationwide to produce over 18,000 precise, colorful plates of folk art quilts, furniture, tools, fostering national pride in indigenous design traditions. Schulze, a skilled illustrator, contributed numerous renderings to the National Gallery of Art's collection, housed in the CG-W department. Through watercolor's subtle washes and graphite's fine lines, Schulze highlights the pipe stand's humble form and potential decorative motifs, blending technical accuracy with artistic sensitivity. This piece invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary objects embody America's inventive spirit and handcrafted heritage.