Peacock Weather Vane
Artist unknown
1800–60
Medium
Iron
Dimensions
131.8 × 71.1 × 2.5 cm (51 7/8 × 28 × 1 in.)
Classification
metalwork
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77688
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Early American weather vanes, such as this silhouetted peacock, were collected in the 20th century for their sculptural qualities and celebrated as precursors to modernism. The Art Institute acquired this hand-forged vane from gallerist Edith Halpert, who distinguished herself in the New York art world by focusing on modern American art and vernacular arts from centuries prior. She operated two galleries in the same building: the Downtown Gallery, which focused on modern American art like the pa...