Steeple Clock
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 35.5 x 29.1 cm (14 x 11 7/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 19 3/4"high; 10"wide; 4"deep
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.4807
Art Historical Context
**Steeple Clock** by Francis Law Durand captures the elegant simplicity of an American folk artpiece in a meticulously rendered1938 drawing. Created watercolor, colored pencil, and ink, and graphite paperboard (35.5 x 29.1 cm), this work depicts a classic steeple clock—measuring about 19¾ inches high, 10 inches wide, and4 inches deep in its original form. Durand's precise lines and subtle color washes highlight the clock's graceful proportions, from its tiered steeple top to its functional dial, evoking the craftsmanship of early American decorative arts. This artwork is part of the *Index of...
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), ...