Weather Vane

Art Historical Context

Behold Bernard Westmacott's *Weather Vane* (c. 1938), a meticulous graphite drawing on paperboard that captures the of American folk art. Measuring 28.8 x 22.4 cm, this work hails from the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) the Great Depression. Launched in 1935, the Index employed artists nationwide to document everyday objects of American craftsmanship through detailed renderings, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Westmacott's precise graphite technique on sturdy paperboard highlights the intricate details of traditional weather vanes—ubiquitous atop barns and homes, often featuring whimsical figures like roosters or ships that spun with the wind to predict storms. These functional sculptures embodied regional ingenuity and folk artistry, blending utility with playful design. The monochromatic medium allowed for subtle shading and texture, making the object's form leap off the page with lifelike accuracy. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, this piece underscores the Index's enduring legacy: over 15,000 works that celebrate America's vernacular aesthetic. It invites us to appreciate how ordinary objects reflect our shared history and resilience.