Scales

Art Historical Context

**Scales** by Harry Grossen, created 1938, is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering on paper from the Index of American Design (IAD). This ambitious Federal Art Project, launched under the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, employed artists to document everyday American objects, preserving the nation's folk art and craftsmanship through meticulous illustrations. Grossen's sheet measures 42.8 x 33.2 cm, faithfully capturing a modest set of scales—originally 14½ inches long, 11 inches high, and ¼ inches wide—that exemplifies early American utilitarian design. The artwork depicts a classic weighing scale, likely a household or merchant's tool from America's colonial or early federal periods, highlighting the ingenuity of vernacular makers. These balanced instruments, often crafted from wood, metal, and sometimes brass, were essential for trade and daily life, reflecting a cultural emphasis on fairness and precision in an agrarian society. Grossen's contribution to the IAD underscores the project's mission to celebrate overlooked artifacts amid economic hardship, ensuring their legacy for future generations. Rendered with graphite for fine details and watercolor for vibrant hues, the piece showcases the IAD's signature style: photorealistic yet artistic, blending technical accuracy with subtle color to evoke texture and patina. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, **Scales** invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary tools embody American heritage, bridging art, history, and everyday innovation.