Rocking Horse
c. 1941
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 43.8 x 57.6 cm (17 1/4 x 22 11/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 26 3/4" high; 43" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.17308
Art Historical Context
"Rocking Horse," created around 1941 by artist Selma Sandler, is a captivating watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering on paperboard, measuring 43.8 x 57.6 cm. This detailed depiction captures a charming wooden rocking horse toy—originally 26¾ inches high and 43 inches long—oking the joyful innocence of American childhood. Sandler's precise lines and vibrant washes bring the folk art object's whimsical curves and sturdy form to life, highlighting its handcrafted charm. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) fr...