Rattle (Matraca)
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 35.5 x 26.6 cm (14 x 10 1/2 in.) Original IAD Object: 2'high; 6"long at botton of ea. 4 sides.
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.6699
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite rendering *Rattle (Matraca)*, created by William Kieckhofel in 1941, we see a meticulously detailed depiction of a traditional wooden noisemaker. Standing about 2 feet high with a square base measuring 6 inches on each side, the original object features four paneled sides that likely rotate to produce a distinctive rattling sound. Kieckhofel's precise technique captures the folk craft's rustic textures, bold colors, and functional form, highlighting its role as both a playful toy and a ritual instrument. This artwork is part of the *Inde...
About the Artist
William Kieckhofel
William Kieckhofel was an American artist active in the 1930s and early 1940s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, the ambitious New Deal-era documentation project administered under the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration. Working in watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper, Kieckhofel produced meticulous renderings of American decorativ...