Rush Burner Paperweight

Art Historical Context

Gerald Bernhardt's *Rush Burner Paperweight (c. 1936) is a meticulous watercolor and graphite rendering on paper, measuring 30.8 x 22.8 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), this work captures the intricate details of functional folk object—a paperweight modeled after a traditional rush burner, likely evoking early American household tools used for illumination before widespread electricity. Bernhardt's precise draftsmanship highlights the object's whimsical form, textures, and craftsmanship, transforming an everyday utilitarian item into a celebrated artifact of cultural heritage. The IAD, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, commissioned over 15,000 such renderings by artists across the U.S. to document and preserve America's diverse design traditions amid the Great Depression. Bernhardt, a skilled illustrator, contributed to this New Deal initiative, which aimed to foster national pride in folk art and crafts. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this piece exemplifies the project's blend of artistic skill and historical documentation. Through layered watercolor washes and fine graphite lines, Bernhardt conveys the rush burner's patina and sculptural quality, underscoring its role in everyday colonial life. Today, it invites visitors to appreciate how simple designs reflect ingenuity and resourcefulness in American history.