Three Legged Candlestick

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Three Leg Candlestick*, a meticulous graphite drawing on paperboard by William Schmidt, created around 1938. Measuring 35.7 x 28.5 cm, this work the elegant simplicity of an early American lighting fixture, its tripod base evoking utilitarian folk craftsmanship from colonial times. Schmidt's precise lines and subtle shading highlight the object's form, texture, and balance, turning a humble household item into a study of everyday ingenuity. This artwork is a gem from the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942) that employed artists during the Great Depression to document the nation's rich heritage of folk art, crafts, and design. By rendering artifacts like this candlestick in detailed watercolor, gouache, and graphite, the Index preserved vanishing traditions amid rapid modernization, fostering national pride in American creativity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it exemplifies how New Deal initiatives blended art, history, and employment to celebrate our cultural roots. Schmidt's technique—graphite's fine control on sturdy paperboard—allows for intricate details that reveal the candlestick's functional beauty, from its sturdy legs to its flickering wick holder. A testament to America's maker spirit, this piece invites visitors to appreciate the artistry in the ordinary.