Strainer
c. 1941
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 45.3 x 30.4 cm (17 13/16 x 11 15/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 5 7/8" in diameter; 3" high; 14 3/4" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.14936
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Strainer*, a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering by Isidore Danziger, around 1941. This artwork captures a humble yet ingeniously crafted kitchen utensil—measuring 5⅞ inches in diameter, 3 high, and 14¾ inches long—likely used for sifting flour or straining liquids in early American homes. Danziger's precise lines and subtle washes bring out the object's functional beauty, from its perforated bowl to its elegant handle, transforming everyday hardware into a study of form and utility. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project fro...