Cemetary Wreath

Art Historical Context

**Cemetery Wreath**, a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering by Al Curry from around 1938, captures intricate beauty of an American folk art object. Measuring 36.7 x 50.6 cm, this work belongs to the National Gallery Art's Index of American collection (Department CG-W). Curry's precise technique blends soft watercolor washes for vibrant hues with graphite lines for sharp details, faithfully reproducing the wreath's elaborate form—likely a traditional cemetery decoration symbolizing remembrance and mourning. Created during the Great Depression as part of the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Index of American Design employed artists like Curry to document everyday American crafts and designs. This initiative celebrated the nation's cultural heritage, preserving images of folk objects that might otherwise be lost to time. Watercolor's luminosity and graphite's fidelity made it ideal for these studies, turning utilitarian items into artistic treasures. Today, **Cemetery Wreath** highlights 19th- and early 20th-century American traditions of memorial art, where wreaths adorned graves with personal symbolism. It invites visitors to appreciate how Curry's skilled hand bridges craft and fine art, offering a poignant glimpse into our shared past.

About the Artist

Al Curry · 1855–present

**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...