Three Legged Candlestick

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Three Leg Candlestick*, a meticulous graphite drawing on paperboard by William Schmidt, created around 1938. Measuring 35.7 x 28.5 cm, this work the elegant simplicity of an early American lighting fixture, its tripod base evoking utilitarian folk craftsmanship from colonial times. Schmidt's precise lines and subtle shading highlight the object's form, texture, and balance, turning a humble household item into a study of everyday ingenuity. This artwork is a gem from the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942) that employed artists during the...