Figurehead: "Janus"

Art Historical Context

Behold the striking *Figurehead: "Jan"*, a vivid watercolor and graphite rendering by Ingrid Selmer-Larsen created around 1938. This artwork captures the majestic carved prow ornament from an American ship, embodying the mythical Roman god Janus with his dual faces gazing forward and backward—symbol transitions, beginnings, and the passage of time. At48.8 x 36.1 cm, the piece showcases intricate details of wood grain, expressive features, and nautical weathering, inviting viewers to ponder the seafaring spirit of early America. As part of the *Index of American Design*, a groundbreaking Works Progress Administration (WPA) project from 1935 to 1942, Selmer-Larsen's work preserves America's folk art heritage during the Great Depression. Hundreds of artists meticulously documented everyday objects, crafts, and designs in collections nationwide, creating over 18,000 precise, colorful records to celebrate national identity and craftsmanship. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this sheet exemplifies the Index's mission to safeguard vanishing traditions like ship figureheads, vital to maritime culture. The watercolor and graphite medium lends luminous color and fine-line precision, mimicking the original sculpture's textures while allowing artistic interpretation. Selmer-Larsen's sensitive touch highlights the figurehead's cultural role as a talisman for safe voyages, bridging art, history, and American ingenuity for today's museumgoers.