Decoy Duck
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 38 x 56 cm (14 15/16 x 22 1/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.9732
Art Historical Context
Behold *Decoy Duck*, a captivating 1939 rendering by Sullivan, part of the Index of American Design at the National Gallery of Art Created during the Great Depression as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, the Index employed artists to meticulously document America's folk art and everyday objects, preserving cultural heritage through detailed illustrations. This piece captures a classic wooden duck decoy—a craft essential to waterfowling traditions along the Eastern seaboard. Sullivan masterfully employed watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard to evoke the decoy's l...