Shaker Rocking Chair

Art Historical Context

Behold the elegant simplicity of *Shaker Rocking Chair*, a captivating watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, gouache rendering by Alfred H. Smith created around 1937. Measuring just 27.6 x 22.7 cm, this work is part of the Index of American Design, a Deal-era Federal Art Project (1935–1942) that employed artists to document everyday American folk art and crafts. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, celebrates the utilitarian beauty of Shaker furniture, known for its clean lines, sturdy construction, and rejection of ornamentation. Shakers, a celibate religious sect founded in 18th-century England and thriving in America, embodied their "Shakerism" through designs prioritizing function, durability, and spiritual purity. This rocking chair exemplifies their ethos: a gently curved crest rail, tapered legs, and woven seat invite contemplation and rest, crafted from fine woods like maple or cherry. Smith's meticulous depiction captures the wood's subtle grain and warm patina, evoking the communal workshops of Shaker villages in New England and the Midwest. Through layered techniques—watercolor for depth, graphite for precision, colored pencil for texture, and gouache for opacity—Smith revives a vanishing craft tradition amid the Great Depression. Today, it reminds us of America's inventive spirit, where simplicity meets profound craftsmanship, inviting visitors to appreciate design as both art and legacy.

About the Artist

Alfred H. Smith · 1855–present

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...