Scraper
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paper
Dimensions
overall: 45.7 x 35.4 cm (18 x 13 15/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.11877
Art Historical Context
**Scraper** *Frank Maurer, 5/1942* Watercolor, graphite, and pencil on paper, 45.7 × 35.4 cm (18 × 13 15/16 in.) Index of American Design, National of Art Created by artist Frank Maurer during the of the Great Depression,Scraper* is a rendering from the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942). This ambitious initiative employed hundreds of artists to document America's rich heritage of folk art, crafts, and everyday objects through vibrant, detailed drawings. Maurer's work captures a traditional scraper—a utilitarian tool likely used in woodworki...
About the Artist
Frank Maurer
Frank Maurer was an American artist active during the late 1930s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a monumental Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project initiative launched in 1935. This ambitious endeavor employed hundreds of artists across the United States to create precise watercolor renderings of everyday folk art objects, crafts, and design ele...