Fireplace Kettle c. 1936

Hugh Clarke drew this fireplace kettle with graphite and watercolor on paper. Clarke was one of many artists who were employed by the Index of American Design, a New Deal program of the WPA in the US. The Index was meant to celebrate American folk art during a time of economic hardship, and it gave work to unemployed artists. The goal was to document American crafts, furniture, and tools to find a uniquely American aesthetic. You see here how Clarke meticulously captures the kettle, even including technical specifications in the upper right. This isn't just a kettle; it's a symbol of American ingenuity and self-reliance. To truly appreciate the Index of American Design, one must consider the social and political landscape of the 1930s. It was a time of both crisis and hope, and the Index sought to provide a sense of national identity and purpose. It also redefined the role of the museum as a public institution, with social responsibility.