Inkwell
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and heightening on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 30.5 x 22.8 cm (12 x 9 in.) Original IAD Object: 4 1/2" Dia 2" Deep
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.7347
Art Historical Context
This charming watercolor illustration titled "Inkwell," created by William High around 1937, showcases a small, functional object from American history. Rendered in watercolor, graphite, and heightening on paperboard, the artwork measures 12 by 9 inches and faithfully represents an original inkwell that was 4½ inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. As part of the Index of American Design collection at the National Gallery of Art, it highlights the project's mission to catalog the nation's decorative and folk arts. The artistic techniques employed—graphite for precise outlines, watercolor for s...