Decoy

Art Historical Context

"Decoy" by Selmaler, created around 1941, is a meticulous rendering in watercolor, graphite, pen ink on paperboard, measuring 28.5 x 35.5 cm. This intimate-scale work captures the essence of an American folk art object—a carved wooden duck decoy used by hunters—with remarkable precision and vibrant color. Sandler's skilled use of mixed media allows for fine details in texture, from the feathers' subtle shading to the glossy sheen of paint, evoking the tactile quality of the original craft. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a WPA-era project from 1935 to 1942, this artwork served a vital cultural mission. During the Great Depression, the IAD employed artists like Sandler to document everyday American objects, preserving the nation's design heritage amid economic hardship and looming war. Decoys, rooted in 19th-century traditions along the Atlantic coast, symbolize resourcefulness and sporting culture, blending utility with artistic whimsy. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art, "Decoy" highlights the IAD's legacy of over 15,000 renderings that championed folk art as a cornerstone of American identity. It's a charming reminder of how simple crafts embody our shared history, inviting visitors to appreciate the artistry in the everyday.

About the Artist

Selma Sandler · 1917–2005

Selma Sandler (1917–2005) was an American artist whose meticulous watercolor renderings played a vital role in documenting the nation's folk art heritage during the Great Depression. Born on March 18, 1917, she contributed to the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project under the Federal Art Project that ran from 1935 to 1942. This ambitious endeavor employed artists...