Decoy
c. 1940
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paper
Dimensions
overall: 42.4 x 34.2 cm (16 11/16 x 13 7/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.9639
Art Historical Context
**Decoy** by Franklyn Syres, created around 1940, is a rendering in watercolor, graphite, and pencil on paper, measuring 42.4 x 34.2 cm. This delicate mixed-media work captures the intricate details of an American folk art object—a hunting decoy—showcasing Syres' skill in blending soft watercolor washes for lifelike plumage, precise graphite lines for form, and colored pencil for subtle highlights. Such techniques allowed for vivid yet accurate documentation, preserving the object's texture and vibrancy. As part of the *Index of American Design* (IAD), a landmark Works Progress Administration...