Sacred Cod

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Sacred Cod*, a rendered depiction by artist John W. Kher in 1940. Created using watercolor, graphite, gouache, and pencil on paperboard (measuring 36.9 x 54.5 cm), this work captures the iconic wooden effigy—a symbol of Massachusetts' fishing heritage—originally standing 3 feet 6 inches long.oused in the National Gallery of Art Index of American Design collection it showcases Kelleher's skill in blending fine artistry with documentary precision. As part of the Federal Art under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, the Index of American Design commissioned over 15,000 such renderings to preserve everyday American folk art, crafts, and design traditions amid the Great Depression. Kelleher's piece exemplifies this mission, highlighting regional symbols like the Sacred Cod, which has adorned the Massachusetts State House since 1784, representing the codfish's economic and cultural lifeline for early colonists. Through layered techniques—vibrant gouache for texture, delicate graphite for outlines, and colored pencil for subtle shading—Kelleher revives this carved wooden icon in vivid detail. This artwork not only documents a piece of Americana but invites us to appreciate how ordinary objects embody national identity and resilience.

About the Artist

John W. Kelleher · 1855–present

John W. Kelleher was an American artist active from around 1935 to 1953, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project that commissioned artists to create precise watercolor renderings of everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objects. Little is known about Kelleher's early life or formal training, as biograp...