Wall Clock

Art Historical Context

This vibrant rendering of a *Wall Clock* by Isadore Goldberg, created around 1938, captures the essence of American craftsmanship through a meticulous mix of watercolor, colored pencil, graphite and gouache on paper. Measuring 39.1 x 29 cm, the artwork depicts an original object standing about 28 inches tall, showcasing the clock's elegant proportions and likely folk-inspired details typical of early American decorative arts. Goldberg contributed to the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. During the Great Depression, over 200 artists produced more than 15,000 precise watercolor studies of everyday American objects—from furniture to tools—preserving cultural heritage at risk of being lost. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece exemplifies the IAD's mission to celebrate regional design traditions and elevate folk art to fine art status. The mixed-media technique allowed Goldberg to convey texture, shine, and subtle color variations, breathing life into a functional heirloom. Today, it invites visitors to appreciate how such humble designs reflect America's inventive spirit and artisanal pride.

About the Artist

Isadore Goldberg · 1904–1995

Isadore Goldberg (b. 1904), an American artist, gained recognition through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a New Deal-era initiative under the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project. Active primarily in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Goldberg produced meticulous renderings of everyday American objects, capturing the essence of folk craftsmanship during a time when ...