Reel
1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 35.7 x 28 cm (14 1/16 x 11 in.) Original IAD Object: 13" wide; 17 1/2" long; 24" diameter of reel
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.14840
Art Historical Context
"Reel," created by Eugene C. Miller 1938, is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 35.7 x 28 cm. This artwork faithfully documents an original American object—a substantial reel measuring 13 inches wide, 17½ inches long, and inches in diameter—likely a fishing or industrial reel emblematic of everyday craftsmanship. Miller's precise depiction highlights the reel's functional form and intricate details, inviting viewers to appreciate the ingenuity of American design from the early 20th century. part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a landmark Federal ...