Tavern Table or Stretcher

Art Historical Context

**Tavern Table or Stretcher** *Dorothea A. Farrington, 1935/1942* Watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper, 23 x 30.6 cm (9 1/16 x 12 1/16 in.) *Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art* Created by artist Dorothea A. Farrington as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), this meticulous rendering captures a classic American tavern table—or stretcher table—with a top measuring 57 inches long and 34 inches wide. These sturdy, functional pieces were staples in colonial-era taverns and homes, prized for their simple, robust construction featuring turned legs connected by stretchers for stability. Farrington's work preserves the table's vernacular charm, highlighting the everyday craftsmanship of early American makers. The IAD, a Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, commissioned artists during the Great Depression to document over 15,000 objects of American folk art and design. Farrington's contribution underscores the project's mission to celebrate regional heritage amid economic hardship, ensuring these artifacts' details endured for future generations. Farrington employed watercolor for vibrant tones, colored pencil for fine textures, and graphite for precise lines, creating a hyper-realistic study that rivals photography. This mixed-media technique allowed nuanced depiction of wood grain and joinery, inviting viewers to appreciate the artistry in utilitarian objects and America's rich decorative traditions.