Candlestick c. 1940

Carl Strehlau rendered this "Candlestick" in watercolor; its original was 42 inches high. This image comes from a fascinating moment in the history of American museums and the public role of art. It was made as part of the Index of American Design, a project of the Works Progress Administration in the New Deal era. Artists were employed to document examples of American material culture; this initiative aimed to define and preserve a sense of national identity during the Great Depression. Strehlau's careful rendering of the candlestick invites us to consider the cultural meanings embedded in everyday objects. The choice of a utilitarian item speaks to a desire to find value and beauty in the commonplace. The Index can be seen as a progressive, even radical, endeavor. By elevating folk art and craft, it challenged traditional hierarchies within the art world and offered a democratic vision of American culture. Studying the Index today, with the help of archives and databases, gives insight into the social and political values that shaped its creation, showing us how institutions shape our understanding of art and culture.