Carved Wood Ornament
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, gold ink, and graphiteon paper
Dimensions
overall: 35.5 x 24.6 cm (14 x 9 11/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 2 3/8"square
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.6609
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate *Carved Wood Ornament a captivating watercolor rendering by Bertha Semple, created around 1937. This artwork faithfully documents a petite 2⅜-inch square wooden carving, scaled up to 35.5 × 24.6 cm on paper. Semple's meticulous depiction captures the intricate details of this folk art treasure, showcasing the artistry of everyday American craftsmanship from an earlier era. As part of the Index of American Design—a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression—this piece exemplifies a national effort to celebrate and preserve ...
About the Artist
Bertha Semple
Bertha Semple is an artist for whom reliable biographical documentation is currently sparse. Her dates, nationality, and the details of her training have not been firmly established in the available art historical record, making it difficult to place her work within a specific school or movement with confidence. The works associated with her name suggest an artist with genuine technical engagemen...