Framed Paper Cutting
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor, gold ink, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 54 x 46 cm (21 1/4 x 18 1/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.12857
Art Historical Context
Step into the intricate world of American folk art with *Framed Paper Cutting*, captivating rendering created around 1938 by artist Clyde L. Cheney. 54 x 46 cm, this work on paperboard employs watercolor for vibrant hues, gold ink for luminous accents, and graphite for precise lines, faithfully capturing the delicate artistry of a traditional paper cutting in an ornate frame. Such folk techniques, often involving intricate silhouettes cut from paper, reflect everyday creativity and storytelling in early American culture. This piece is a gem from the *Index of American Design*, landmark WPA Fe...
About the Artist
Clyde L. Cheney
Clyde L. Cheney is an artist about whom little is currently known. No dates of birth or death have been established, and his nationality and artistic training are not documented in surviving historical records. With nearly fifty works attributed to him in institutional collections, Cheney's output points to an active career. The middle initial suggests a deliberate professional identity, but corr...