Mantel Clock
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 35.5 x 29.1 cm (14 x 11 7/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 32 1/2" tall x 19"wide (max.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.4787
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of American decorative arts with *Mantel Clock*, a meticulously rendered study by artist Francis Law Durand, created in 1938. This detailed depiction captures a classic mantel clock—standing approximately 32½ inches tall and 19 inches wide—likely a cherished household heirloom from an earlier era. Durand's work showcases the clock's ornate design, evoking the refinement of 19th-century American homes where such timepieces served both practical and decorative purposes, often gracing fireplaces as symbols of prosperity and precision. As part of the Index of American ...
About the Artist
Francis Law Durand
**Francis Law Durand (1906–1995)** Born on March 31, 1906, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Francis Law Durand emerged as a skilled American draftsman and artist during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented beyond his professional output. By 1935, he was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), ...