Study for American Interior, 1934

Charles Sheeler, Study for American Interior, 1934, ca. 1934, watercolor, opaque watercolor and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1982.90
Charles Sheeler, Study for American Interior, 1934, ca. 1934, watercolor, opaque watercolor and pencil on paper, sheet: 3 7⁄8 x 3 1⁄2 in. (9.8 x 8.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1982.90

Artwork Details

Title
Study for American Interior, 1934
Artist
Date
ca. 1934
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 3 7⁄8 x 3 1⁄2 in. (9.8 x 8.8 cm)
Credit Line
Transfer from the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor, opaque watercolor and pencil on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — furniture — chair
  • Object — other — vase
  • Architecture Interior — domestic
  • Object — other — dish
  • Object — furniture — table
  • Object — other — rug
Object Number
1982.90
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1982.90

Artwork Description

In Study for American Interior, 1934, Sheeler worked out spatial and color relationships for a painting of the same title. The composition showcases objects from the artist’s home in South Salem, New York. The rag rugs and turned-post Shaker bed reveal Sheeler’s appreciation of early American furniture and crafts. The shadows cast by the streaming sunlight carve the space into an abstract composition of angular forms that echo the patterns in the textiles. The red, white, and blue palette of this small watercolor reinforces the American theme.

Graphic Masters II: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2009

Works by this artist (31 items)

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Charles Sheeler, Salt and Pepper Shakers, ca. 1935, metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Edith Halpert, 1968.147A-B
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Artist
Dateca. 1935
metal
On view
Charles Sheeler, Connecticut Barns in Landscape, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.29
Connecticut Barns in Landscape
Artist
Date1934
oil on canvas
Not on view
Charles Sheeler, Nation's Capitol, 1943, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of State, 1971.281
Nation’s Capitol
Artist
Date1943
oil on canvas
Not on view
Charles Sheeler, Figure of a Child by William Zorach, ca. 1925, toned gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Office of Museum Resources, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1985.21.1
Figure of a Child by William Zorach
Artist
Dateca. 1925
toned gelatin silver print
Not on view

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Charles Hoffbauer, Study for Winter Mural, Four Seasons of the Confederacy, ca. 1914, watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cleveland, 1996.102
Study for Winter Mural, Four Seasons of the Confederacy
Artist
Dateca. 1914
watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view
Owen McHugh, Unfolded #25, n.d., watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the S. W. and B. M. Koffler Foundation, 1980.103.5
Unfolded #25
Artist
Daten.d.
watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view
Alexander DeWitt Walsh, Telepherique, 1978, watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.66, © 1978, Alexander Walsh
Telepherique
Artist
Date1978
watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view
Raymond Redell, Figure Composition, ca. 1930-1939, watercolor, india ink, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.154
Figure Composition
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1939
watercolor, india ink, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view