Shaker Newel Post
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 27.8 x 22.8 cm (10 15/16 x 9 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.13658
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of American folk art with *Shaker Newel Post*, a meticulous 1937 watercolor and graphite rendering by John W. Kher. This delicate work on paperboard (27.8 x 22.8 cm) captures the essence of a Shaker staircase newel post—a central support post known for its elegant simplicity. Shaker design, born from the religious communities founded in the 18th century, prized utility, clean lines, and honest craftsmanship, reflecting their motto "Hands to work, hearts to God." Created as part of the Index of American Design—a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (W...
About the Artist
John W. Kelleher
John W. Kelleher was an American artist active from around 1935 to 1953, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project that commissioned artists to create precise watercolor renderings of everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objects. Little is known about Kelleher's early life or formal training, as biograp...