"David and Goliath" Marionette
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite and gouache on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 48.5 x 36 cm (19 1/8 x 14 3/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 21" high
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.15644
Art Historical Context
Behold the captivating "David and Goliath"ette, a meticulously rendered watercolor, graphite, and gouache by Ruth Abrams, circa 1937. This artwork captures the whimsical yet dramatic essence of a traditional marionette puppet portraying the biblical tale of the young shepherd Daviding over the giant Goliath. Measuring 48.5 x 36 cm, it documents an original 21-inch-high folk art object, showcasing Abrams' skill in translating three-dimensional puppetry into a vibrant, two-dimensional study. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 19...