Watch Chain
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, pen and ink, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 36.8 x 28.3 cm (14 1/2 x 11 1/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.2487
Art Historical Context
**Watch Chain**, created around 1939 by Frank Fumagalli, is a meticulous rendering in watercolor, pen and ink, and graphite onboard, measuring 36.8 x 28.3 cm. This delicate work captures the intricate details of a traditional American watch chain, showcasing the fine metalwork and decorative elements typical of such personal accessories from earlier centuries. As part of the *Index of American Design*a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression—this piece exemplifies a national effort from 1935 to 1942 to document and celebrate everyday Ameri...
About the Artist
Frank Fumagalli
Frank Fumagalli (c. 1895–1958) was an Italian-born American artist whose precise watercolor renderings captured the essence of everyday American folk art objects during the mid-20th century. Little is known about his early life and training, as biographical details remain scarce beyond his immigration from Italy and establishment in the United States. Active primarily in New York, Fumagalli gained...