Tongs

Art Historical Context

**Tongs**, a meticulous 1938 rendering by Stanley Mazur, captures sturdy elegance of a classic American blacksmith's tool. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD)—a Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942—this watercolor and graphite work on paperboard (45.5 x 35.7 cm) documents a functional object measuring 36 inches long and 7¾ inches wide. Mazur's precise depiction highlights the tongs' forged iron form, with riveted jaws and ergonomic handle, celebrating everyday craftsmanship from America's industrial past. The IAD aimed to preserve the nation's folk art and design heritage during the Great Depression, employing artists like Mazur to produce over 18,000 detailed studies of utilitarian items. Watercolor lent vibrant realism to textures and patinas, while graphite added fine lines for accuracy, making these renderings both artistic and archival treasures. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, **Tongs** exemplifies how ordinary tools embodied skilled labor and regional traditions. This piece invites visitors to appreciate the beauty in utility—imagine these tongs gripping hot metal in a 19th-century forge, their simple lines a testament to American ingenuity. A charming window into our shared history!

About the Artist

Stanley Mazur · 1903–1978

**Stanley Mazur (1903–1978)** was an American artist best known for his meticulous watercolor renderings created as part of the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) initiative during the Great Depression era. This ambitious project commissioned artists across the United States to document everyday folk art objects, crafts, and tools that embodied the nation's cultural he...