Quilt (Bed Covering)
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, and heightening on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 35.6 x 28 cm (14 x 11 in.) Original IAD Object: 103 1/2"square approx.
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.402
Art Historical Context
This vibrant watercolor rendering by Francis Law Durand, created around 1936, meticulously documents a traditional American quilt measuring approximately 103½ inches square—perfect for a full bed covering. Titled *Quilt (Bed Covering)*, the 14 × 11-inch study on paperboard employs watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, and height to vividly capture the quilt's intricate patterns, bold colors, and textured stitches. Part of the National Gallery of Art's Index of American Design collection (Department CG-W), it showcases Durand's precise draftsmanship in preserving folk art treasures. The Index ...
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), ...