Tall Clock

Art Historical Context

Step into the timeless elegance of *Tall Clock*, a captivating 1938 watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite by artist Lawrence Phillips. Measuring 45.3 x 36.7 cm, this detailed depiction on paperboard showcases a classic tall case clock, evoking the craftsmanship of early American decorative arts. Phillips masterfully blends soft watercolor washes for depth and luminosity, precise colored pencil for intricate textures like wood grain and brass accents, and graphite for sharp outlines, creating a vivid, almost three-dimensional study. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942—this artwork documents America's rich heritage of folk and industrial objects during the Great Depression. Artists like Phillips produced over 15,000 such precise renderings to preserve cultural artifacts, celebrating regional ingenuity and everyday beauty amid economic hardship. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, it highlights how these works bridged art and history, making vanishing traditions accessible. Today, *Tall Clock* reminds us of the enduring rhythm of American life, where functional objects doubled as symbols of status and skill. Its meticulous technique not only captures form but invites reflection on our shared past.

About the Artist

Lawrence Phillips · 1855–present

Lawrence Phillips is represented in museum holdings by a body of work that attests to a productive and recognized artistic practice, though the biographical information that would place him within a specific national tradition or art-historical lineage has not been well documented in readily available sources. His name is common enough to present identification challenges, yet the works attributed...