Shaker Music Rack
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 27.4 x 22.2 cm (10 13/16 x 8 3/4 in.) Original IAD Object: 22" high; 16 1/2" wide
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.13618
Art Historical Context
**Shaker Music Rack**, a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering by Alfred H. Smith 1936, captures the essence of Shaker craftsmanship in a simple yet elegant music rack. Measuring 27.4 x 22.2 cm, this work depicts an original object standing 22 inches high and 16½ inches wide, showcasing the Shakers' hallmark minimalist design. The Shakers, a 19th-century religious community in America, were renowned for their functional furniture that embodied principles of simplicity, utility, and spiritual purity—no excess ornamentation, just honest form and superior joinery. Created as part of the *In...
About the Artist
Alfred H. Smith
Alfred H. Smith was an American artist active from around 1935 to 1953, best known for his meticulous watercolor and graphite drawings documenting American folk and decorative arts. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented beyond his contributions to federal art initiatives. During the Great Depression, Smith participated in the In...