# Cut Tin Candleholder

**Hal Blakeley** (American, 1901–1981)  
1940  
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper  
overall: 35.5 x 26.5 cm (14 x 10 7/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 13"diameter

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.6622. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.18822.html).

## About this work

Hal Blakeley painted this in 1940, aged 39. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows an abstract composition with circular and linear shapes. In the center is a large, intricately patterned circle with concentric rings, zigzag, and radiating lines. Around it are six identical abstract forms resembling birds or wings, radiating outward. The shapes create a symmetrical pattern reminiscent of a rotating wheel or a sunburst.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.

### [Hal Blakeley](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/hal-blakeley)

American, 1901–1981

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 39
- Real size: about 14 × 10 in (36 × 27 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 20th century
- Movement: [American folk and design](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/american-folk-design)
- Subjects: bird
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1399.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1399/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/cut-tin-candleholder-nga-18822).