Head from Circus Wagon
1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 41.5 x 30.4 cm (16 5/16 x 11 15/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16335
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant *Head from Circus Wagon* (1939), a captivating watercolor, graphite, and gouache rendering on paper by Alvin M. Gully. Measuring 41.5 x 30.4 cm, this work captures the whimsical, larger-than-life carved figurehead from a circus parade wagon, evoking the colorful spectacle of American traveling shows in the early 20th century. Gully's precise technique blends the fluidity of watercolor for rich hues with graphite's fine lines and gouache's opaque vibrancy, creating a lifelike study that highlights the folk artistry of such wooden sculptures. Created as part of the Index of A...