Weather Vane
1935/1942
Medium
graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 23 x 29.1 cm (9 1/16 x 11 7/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 30 3/4" long; 18 1/2" high
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16145
Art Historical Context
Behold the intricate *Weather Vane*, a graphite drawing on paperboard by Bernard Westmacott, created between 1935 and 1942. Measuring 23 x 29.1 cm, this precise rendering captures the whimsical form of a classic American weather vane—likely a rooster or directional figure perched atop barns and rooftops. Westmacott's meticulous lines evoke the playful craftsmanship of early American folk art, turning a utilitarian object into a symbol of rural ingenuity. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from the Great Depression era, this work documents e...