Wheel Jack

Art Historical Context

"Wheel Jack" by Or Skaren, created in 1940, captures the humble yet ingenious design of a traditional mechanical lifting device used for raising wagon wheels or early automobiles. Rendered in, graphite, and colored on paperboard (28.1 x 38.3 cm), this precise study highlights the sturdy iron components, wooden handle, and ratcheting mechanism that embody American practicality and craftsmanship from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Skaren's work is part of the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942) during the Great Depression. This initiative employed artists to document everyday American objects—folk art, tools, and crafts—through detailed, realistic renderings, preserving a visual record of the nation's cultural heritage amid economic hardship. By focusing on utilitarian items like the wheel jack, the Index celebrated vernacular design and the ingenuity of ordinary makers. The mixed-media technique allows for meticulous detail: graphite outlines sharp edges, watercolor adds subtle depth, and colored pencil provides vibrant accents, creating a lifelike quality that bridges art and documentation. Displayed at the National Gallery of Art, "Wheel Jack" invites visitors to appreciate how such tools powered America's rural and industrial life, offering a window into our inventive past.