Figurehead
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 53 x 35.3 cm (20 7/8 x 13 7/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.9887
Art Historical Context
Behold the striking *Figurehead*, a meticulously rendered depiction from the Index of American Design, created between 1935 and 1942 by an anonymous American artist of the 20th century. This work is part of a monumental WPA (Works Progress Administration) Federal Art Project during the Great Depression, which employed artists to document America's rich heritage of folk art, crafts, and design through over 15,000 watercolor renderings. Ship figureheads like this one—ornate wooden sculptures adorning the prows of vessels—symbolized maritime prowess and cultural narratives, often carved in the 18...
About the Artist
American 20th Century
"American 20th Century" is the designation used by major institutions such as the National Gallery of Art (NGA) for anonymous and unidentified artists active in the United States during the twentieth century. The artist's personal identity, early life, and training remain undocumented, reflecting the challenges of attribution for unattributed works from this era. No specific teachers, art schools,...