Pierced Tin Lantern
1935-1942
Created during the Great Depression as part of the WPA's Index of American Design project, this drawing documents a classic piece of early American folk craftsmanship. Francis Bruner meticulously rendered this punched tin lantern, capturing the starry perforations that would cast magical, shadowy patterns when a candle was lit inside. These lanterns were practical necessities in the 18th and 19th centuries, often hanging in windows to guide travelers. By recording it with such precise realism, Bruner helped save a piece of everyday Americana from being forgotten by history.