Weather Vane

Art Historical Context

**Weather Vane**, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Ernest A. Towers Jr., dates to around 1938 and measures 30.5 x 23 cm. This delicate work on paper meticulously documents a grand original weather vane—standing 108 inches high and 66 inches widelikely a whimsical folk art creation from America's vernacular tradition. Towers, working in the realistic style favored by the project, captures the vane's intricate details, from its sculptural form to its functional elegance, evoking the playful ingenuity of early American craftsmen who adorned barns and rooftops with such directional ornaments. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a New Deal-era initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), this piece exemplifies a vital effort to preserve vanishing folk art amid rapid modernization. Launched in 1935, the IAD commissioned over 15,000 artists nationwide to produce precise, colorful renderings of everyday objects, ensuring cultural heritage endured through Depression-era documentation. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it highlights how weather vanes—often featuring animals, ships, or arrows—served as both practical tools and community symbols of pride and weather wisdom. Towers' masterful use of watercolor for vibrant hues and graphite for fine lines breathes life into the original's weathered charm, making this study not just a record, but a celebration of American ingenuity and artistry. Visitors will appreciate its role in bridging past craftsmanship with modern appreciation.

About the Artist

Ernest A. Towers, Jr.

Ernest A. Towers, Jr. was an American artist active during the late 1930s and early 1940s, best known for his meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create watercolor renderings of everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objec...