Figurehead: "Ceres"
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 59.1 x 34.2 cm (23 1/4 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
1943.8.16374
Art Historical Context
Behold the graceful *Figurehead: "Ceres"* by Elizabeth Fairchild, a captivating watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering on paper from 1935/1942. Measuring 59.1 x 34.2 cm, this work vividly captures the carved wooden prow ornament depicting Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility—symbolizing abundance and protection for seafaring vessels. Fairchild's meticulous technique blends soft watercolor washes for luminous color with precise graphite shading and ink outlines, evoking the figurehead's dynamic curves and classical features. Created as part of the *Index of American D...