Child's Sled
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 22.9 x 30.5 cm (9 x 12 in.) Original IAD Object: 34" long; 3 1/4" high
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.14208
Art Historical Context
**Child's Sled**, a captivating watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering by Francis Law Durand around 1937, captures the simple yet charming design of a classic American toy. Measuring 22.9 x 30.5 cm, this work depicts an original sled 34 inches long and 3¼ inches high, showcasing its sleek wooden runners, sturdy frame, and whimsical handle—hallmarks of everyday craftsmanship from America's past. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, Durand's piece preserves vanishing folk art tr...
About the Artist
Francis Law Durand
**Francis Law Durand (1906–1995)** Born on March 31, 1906, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Francis Law Durand emerged as a skilled American draftsman and artist during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented beyond his professional output. By 1935, he was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), ...