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Altar Chimes

David P Willoughby

c. 1936

Altar Chimes by David P Willoughby

Medium

watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, and graphite on paper

Dimensions

overall: 28 x 34.6 cm (11 x 13 5/8 in.) Original IAD Object: Scale 2"-1'

Classification

Index of American Design

Department

CG-W

Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Credit

Index of American Design

Accession Number

1943.8.6703

Art Historical Context

**Altar Chimes**, created around 1936 by artist David. Willoughby, is a meticulous rendering from theIndex of American Design*IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project initiative (1935–1942). This program employed artists across the U.S. to everyday American objects—folk art, crafts, and designs—through precise, colorful drawings, preserving cultural heritage amid the Depression. Willoughby's sheet, scaled at 2 inches to 1 foot, captures the essence of "Altar Ch," likely a decorative ecclesiastical accessory blending functionality and artistry in American tradition. Executed in watercolor, col...

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