Zoar Floor Lighting Device

Art Historical Context

**Zoar Floor Lighting Device *Carol Larson,. 1938* color and graphite on paper, 39.7 × 49. cm (15⅝ × 19⁷⁄₁₆ in.) *Index of American Design, National Gallery of ArtStep into the illuminating world of American folk design with Carol Larson's *Zoar Lighting Device*, a precise 1938 rendering the Index of American Design This WPA Federal Art Project commissioned artists during the Great Depression to document everyday objects, preserving the nation's cultural heritage through detailed watercolor studies. Larson's work captures a tall, elegant floor—originally 61½ high and 11 inches wide the communal village of Zoar, Ohio, founded in 7 by German Separat seeking religious freedom. The device reflects Zoar's renowned craftsmanship, blending functionality with simple, harmonious forms typical of 19th-century Shaker-inspired communities. Larson's watercolor and technique on paperboard excels in rendering subtle textures, metallic sheens, and proportions, making the historical artifact vivid and accessible today. part of the National Gallery's collection, this piece celebrates American ingenuity, bridging utilitarian design with artistic preservation. It's a reminder of how ordinary objects embody cultural stories. (198 words)