Rock Horse
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 33.8 x 37.7 cm (13 5/16 x 14 13/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.15624
Art Historical Context
"Rock Horse" is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Henry Tomaszewski, created 1935 and 1942 as part of the Index of American Design. This Federal Art Project, launched during the Great Depression under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), employed artists to meticulously document America's folk art, crafts, and everyday objects. Tomaszewski's precise depiction preserves the whimsical charm of a classic rocking horse—a beloved toy symbolizing childhood play and ingenuity in American material culture. Measuring 33.8 x 37.7 cm, the work showcases Tomaszewski's masterful use o...