Locomotive Bell

Art Historical Context

**Locomotive Bell** Georgina King captures the sturdy elegance of an American industrial artifact through delicate watercolor and graphite on paper. Created between 1935 and 1942, this 33.2 x 24.3 cm work meticulously renders the bell's robust form, likely from a steam locomotive, highlighting its cast metal curves, clapper, and functional details. King's use of vibrant watercolor washes brings out the bell's metallic sheen and patina, while precise graphite lines ensure anatomical accuracy, blending artistry with documentary precision. As part of the *Index of American Design*—a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression—this piece exemplifies a national effort to celebrate everyday American craftsmanship. From 1935 to 1942, artists like King documented folk art, tools, and machinery, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Locomotive bells, essential to 19th-century rail travel that connected the nation, symbolize America's industrial boom and westward expansion. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art, King's rendering invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary objects embody history. It reminds us of the railroads' role in forging modern America, rendered with a curator's eye for enduring design.