Rooster and Hen

Art Historical Context

"Rooster and Hen," created by artist Al Curry between 1935 and1942, captures the vibrant spirit of American folk art through delicate watercolor and graphite on paper. Measuring 48.8 x 36.6 cm, this work depicts a proud rooster and hen in vivid detail, their feathers rendered with meticulous shading and bold colors that evoke rural life and traditional motifs. As part of the National Gallery Art's collection, it exemplifies the charm of everyday American design from the early 20th century. piece is a key entry in the Index of American Design, a monumental WPA Federal Art Project from the Great Depression era (1935–1942). Artists like Curry produced over 15,000 precise renderings of folk objects, crafts, and patterns to preserve America's artistic heritage amid economic hardship. Watercolor brought lifelike hues to the birds' plumage, while graphite added fine lines for accuracy, making it both an artistic creation and a documentary tool. Culturally, "Rooster and Hen" highlights the enduring symbolism of these barnyard icons in American decorative arts—representing vigilance, fertility, and farmstead pride. It invites visitors to appreciate how such humble subjects fueled national identity, bridging fine art with vernacular craft in a time of national recovery.

About the Artist

Al Curry · 1855–present

**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...