Pa. German Toy Bellows Rooster
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 30 x 22.9 cm (11 13/16 x 9 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.3717
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant *Pa. German Toy Bs Rooster*, a 1936 watercolor and graphite rendering by artist John Fisk. This detailed depiction captures a whimsical Pennsylvania German folk toy—a miniature bellows shaped like autting rooster, complete with bold colors and intricate patterns typical of the region's 18th- and 19th-century craftsmanship. Measuring 30 x 22.9 cm, the work on paperboard showcases Fisk's precise hand, blending soft watercolor washes with sharp graphite lines to evoke the toy's playful three-dimensional form. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a Federal Art...
About the Artist
John Fisk
John Fisk is an artist about whom verified biographical information is limited in the major art historical literature. No confirmed dates of birth or death have been established, and details regarding nationality, training, and primary period of activity remain undocumented in readily available scholarly sources. Works attributed to John Fisk have entered museum collections, suggesting a level of...