Quirt
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 33.5 x 45.8 cm (13 3/16 x 18 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 18" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16278
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant tradition of American folk art documentation, *Quirt* by Flora G. Guerra captures the rugged elegance of a classic cowboy riding whip from around 1939. Rendered in watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper (33.5 x 45.8 cm), this precise illustration depicts an 18-inch-long original object, showcasing intricate details like braided leather thongs and a sturdy handle—hallmarks of Southwestern ranching tools used for herding cattle. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project from 1935–1942, Guerra's work exemplifies the pr...