Weather Vane

Art Historical Context

**Weather Vane** by Mina Lowry, created around 1938, captures the whimsical charm of an American folk art object through delicate watercolor and graphite on paperboard. Measuring 35.3 x 45.3 cm, this rendering depicts a 14 1/8-inch-long, 10 7/8-inch-high weather vane, a functional yet artistic fixture common on colonial barns and homes. Lowry's precise technique blends soft washes of color with fine graphite lines, highlighting the vane's sculptural details—likely a rooster or directional figure—evoking the craftsmanship of early American makers. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a New Deal-era Federal Art Project from the Works Progress Administration, this work holds profound historical significance. Launched in 1935 amid the Great Depression, the IAD commissioned artists like Lowry to document everyday American design, from quilts to tools, preserving cultural heritage through over 15,000 watercolor renderings. Weather vanes, symbols of practicality and folk ingenuity, reflect regional pride and ingenuity, often handmade by blacksmiths with weather-resistant metals. Lowry's contribution underscores the IAD's mission to celebrate vernacular art, bridging utility and aesthetics. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary objects embody America's creative spirit.

About the Artist

Mina Lowry · 1894–1942

Mina Lowry (1894–1942), an American artist born in Canada, emerged as a prominent portrait painter whose career bridged traditional portraiture and the documentation of American folk art. Immigrating to Buffalo, New York, with her family around 1901, she honed her skills early on, winning first prize for modeling at the Albright Art School and studying under the esteemed Florence J. Bach. Lowry fu...