Carousel Reindeer
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 36.2 x 49 cm (14 1/4 x 19 5/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.8025
Art Historical Context
**Carousel Reindeer** by Michael Riccitelli, around 1939, is a vibrant mixed-media rendering that captures the whimsical charm of a classic American carousel figure. Using watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paper (36.2 x 49 cm), Riccitelli meticulously depicts the reindeer's ornate saddle, flowing mane, and playful expression, bringing to life the hand-carved artistry of early 20th-century amusement. This artwork is part of the *Index of American Design*, a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. During the Great Depression,...
About the Artist
Michael Riccitelli
**Michael Riccitelli** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise watercolor renderings captured the essence of American folk art during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain scarce. He gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design (IAD), a Works Progress Administration (...