Who created "Tenebrae Candelabra"?

Tenebrae Candelabra was created by David P Willoughby in c. 1936.

When was "Tenebrae Candelabra" created?

This artwork was created c. 1936.

What medium is "Tenebrae Candelabra"?

Tenebrae Candelabra is watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, and graphite on paper.

Is "Tenebrae Candelabra" in the public domain?

Yes, Tenebrae Candelabra is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Tenebrae Candelabra

David P Willoughby

c. 1936

Medium

watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, and graphite on paper

Dimensions

overall: 35 x 24.4 cm (13 3/4 x 9 5/8 in.) Original IAD Object: Scale 1"=1'. Details: 6"=1'.

Classification

Index of American Design

Department

CG-W

Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Credit

Index of American Design

Accession Number

1943.8.6597

Art Historical Context

**Tenebrae Candelabra** is a meticulously rendered drawing by David P. Willby, created around 1936 as part of the Index of Design (IAD). ambitious WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942) commissioned artists across the U.S. to everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objects, preserving cultural heritage the Great Depression. Willoughby's work captures a traditional candelabra in Tenebrae—Catholic rituals marking the final days of Holy Week, where candles are extinguished to symbolize Christ's passion. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it exemplifies the IAD's mission t...

Tenebrae Candelabra

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