Camphene Lamp 1935 - 1942

Helen Hobart made this drawing of a camphene lamp with graphite on paper. Camphene lamps were a cheaper alternative to whale oil lamps in mid-19th century America. This image is from a collection called the Index of American Design, which was a Works Progress Administration, WPA, project that documented American decorative and folk arts from the colonial period through the 19th century. During the Depression, the WPA was a work relief program employing artists to create a visual archive. This speaks to a specific moment in American history when the government played an active role in documenting and preserving cultural heritage, while providing employment for artists. The drawing’s style, with its precise rendering, is typical of the Index, reflecting the project's goal of producing accurate records for future study. Investigating archives from this time offers valuable insights into artistic practices, government initiatives, and the social and economic contexts that shaped the cultural landscape of the United States.