# Potato Masher

**Clarence W. Dawson** (American, c. 1909–1980)  
c. 1940  
watercolor and graphite on paperboard  
overall: 43.4 x 20.3 cm (17 1/16 x 8 in.) Original IAD Object: 10" long; 3" in diameter

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.12612. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.24704.html).

## About this work

Clarence W. Dawson painted this in about 1940, aged 31. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

A wooden mallet is displayed on a beige background. The mallet has a rounded handle and a broad head, showcasing earthy brown tones with variations in the wood grain. Positioned centrally, the mallet stands upright in the image.

_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.

### [Clarence W. Dawson](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/clarence-w-dawson)

American, c. 1909–1980

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 31
- Real size: about 17 × 8 in (43 × 20 cm). The 12 × 16 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 20th century
- Movement: [American folk and design](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/american-folk-design)
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1430.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1430/1920.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
- 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
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- 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

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/potato-masher-nga-24704).