Thin Cake Iron

Art Historical Context

**Thin Cake Iron**, a meticulously rendered depiction by artist Harry Grossen in 1938, captures the elegant simplicity of an American folk utensil measuring 28½ inches long and 6 inches wide. Created using watercolor, graphite, pen and ink on paper (61.1 x 45.9 cm), this work showcases Grossen's skill in translating the iron's functional form—likely a specialized tool for baking thin cakes or waffles—into a vibrant, textured study. The delicate interplay of media brings out the object's patina, curves, and utilitarian charm, evoking everyday life in early American households. This artwork is part of the *Index of American Design*, a landmark Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Launched in 1935, the IAD employed artists across the U.S. to document regional folk art, crafts, and design objects through precise, colorful renderings, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Grossen's contribution highlights the ingenuity of American vernacular tools, bridging art and history. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection (Department: CG-W), *Thin Cake Iron* invites us to appreciate how ordinary objects embody cultural identity. Its artistic techniques—layered inks for depth, watercolors for subtle sheen—elevate the mundane, reminding visitors of the WPA's enduring legacy in celebrating democratic creativity.