Rocking Horse
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 42.5 x 50 cm (16 3/4 x 19 11/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 44 1/2" long; 22" high
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16720
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Behold the charming *Rocking Horse*1935/1942), meticulously rendered watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink drawing on paper by Raymond Neumann. Measuring 42.5 x 50 cm, this work captures classic American folk toy— 44½ inches long and 22 high—in exquisite detail, evoking the of childhood playthings from bygone eras. as part of the Index American Design (IAD a Federal Art Project under Works Progress Administration (W) during the Great Depression Neumann's piece documents everyday craftsmanship. From 193 to 1942, 15,000 suchings preserved folk art, objects, and designs threatened by modernity, blending skill with cultural archiving. Neumann precise lines and vibrant washes the rocking horse's carved form, painted motifs, whimsical curves, showcasing 19th-century vernacular artistry. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this I gem underscores America's rich tradition of handcrafted toys, symbols of innocence and ingenuity. It invites visitors to appreciate how simple objects embody national heritage, bridging, history, and nostalgia.