Figurehead of Rembrandt
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 46 x 31.5 cm (18 1/8 x 12 3/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16346
Art Historical Context
Step into the seafaring past with *Figurehead of Rembrandt*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by artist Frances Cohen, created around 1938. This detailed depiction captures the expressive wooden sculpture that once adorned the prow of a ship—a tradition dating back centuries where figureheads served as talismans, mascots, or symbolic guardians against stormy seas. Measuring 46 x 31.5 cm, Cohen's work on paper brings to life the figure's weathered character, blending vibrant watercolor washes with precise graphite lines to evoke both artistry and maritime heritage. As part of th...