Animal Bell
1938
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 35.8 x 27.9 cm (14 1/8 x 11 in.) Original IAD Object: Approximately 5 1/2"high x 5"wide
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.6702
Art Historical Context
**Animal Bell** (1938) by Gerald Transpota is captivating watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper, measuring 35.8 x 27.9 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), this work meticulously renders a small folk art object—an animal-shaped bell originally about 5½ inches high and 5 inches wide. Transpota's precise technique captures the charm of everyday American craftsmanship, blending soft watercolor washes for texture with the fine lines of colored pencil and graphite for intricate details like fur, features, and metallic sheen. The IAD, a Federal Art Project of the W...
About the Artist
Gerald Transpota
Gerald Transpota (1898–1971) was an American artist renowned for his contributions to Western-themed lithography and meticulous renderings of American folk objects. Born in 1898, his early life and artistic training remain sparsely documented, though he quickly established himself in the 1920s as a poster designer. Transpota won gold and silver medals at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo and Art Show fro...