Wooden Stirrup

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Wooden Stirrup*, meticulous 1938 rendering by artist Florence Hastings, capturing the humble yet essential form of an American folk craft object. Measuring 35.8 x 26.7 cm, this watercolor, graphite, and pencil work on paper depicts a sturdy wooden stirrup—originally 5 1/2 inches long, 5 1/4 inches high, and 4 1/2 inches wide evokes the practical ingenuity of early American life, likely tied to equestrian traditions on farms, ranches, or frontier trails. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from the Great Depression era (1935–1942), Hastings's drawing preserves vanishing examples of vernacular design. The IAD commissioned over 15,000 such precise illustrations by artists nationwide to document everyday objects, safeguarding cultural heritage amid economic hardship and rapid modernization. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it highlights how folk artifacts like this stirrup embodied resilient craftsmanship. Hastings employs a realistic style, blending soft watercolor washes for wood grain textures with graphite outlines and colored pencil accents for dimensional depth. This technique not only replicates the object's tactile warmth and subtle curves but also elevates a utilitarian item into a study of form and function, inviting us to appreciate the artistry in America's everyday past.