Silver Spoon

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate *Silver Spoon*, a meticulous graphite drawing by Charlotte Winter, created around 1936. This 23.3 x 29.4 cm (9 3/16 x 11 9/16 in.) study captures the elegant form of an actual silver spoon measuring 8 1/4 inches long and 1 3/4 inches wide.ed with fine precision on paper, Winter's work highlights the spoon's graceful curves, intricate detailing, and shimmering metallic sheen through subtle shading and line work, inviting viewers to appreciate the artistry in everyday objects. As part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s— this piece belongs to a vast archive of over 15,000 renderings documenting America's folk art and design heritage during the Great Depression. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, it exemplifies how artists like Winter preserved cultural artifacts through accurate, museum-quality reproductions, ensuring that humble silverware could tell stories of craftsmanship and regional traditions. Winter's graphite technique masterfully conveys texture and light, bridging utilitarian design with fine art. A testament to American ingenuity, this drawing reminds us how ordinary items embody cultural identity, making the Index an enduring celebration of our shared past.

About the Artist

Charlotte Winter · 1855–present

Charlotte Winter was an American artist who made her most lasting contribution during the late 1930s and early 1940s as a participant in the Index of American Design, a major New Deal program administered under the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project. The Index employed artists across the United States to document the nation's decorative arts heritage through meticulous watercolor ...