Who created "Water Main"?

Water Main was created by Walter Praefke in c. 1937.

When was "Water Main" created?

This artwork was created c. 1937.

What medium is "Water Main"?

Water Main is watercolor and graphite on paper.

Is "Water Main" in the public domain?

Yes, Water Main is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Water Main

Walter Praefke

c. 1937

Medium

watercolor and graphite on paper

Dimensions

overall: 35.6 x 26 cm (14 x 10 1/4 in.) Original IAD Object: 5 1/2" in diameter; 6 1/2" long

Classification

Index of American Design

Department

CG-W

Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Credit

Index of American Design

Accession Number

1943.8.16120

Art Historical Context

**Water Main**, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Walter Praefke from around 1937, meticulously documents a modest yet essential piece of American industrial design: a water main valve measuring 5½ inches in diameter and 6½ inches long. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Index of American Design collection, this 35.6 x 26 cm work on paper transforms a utilitarian object into a study of form, function, and craftsmanship, highlighting the beauty in everyday engineering from America's industrial past. Created as part of the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Admin...

Water Main

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