Weather Vane
c. 1937
Medium
graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 22.6 x 29 cm (8 7/8 x 11 7/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 46" long; 20" high
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16256
Art Historical Context
**Weather Vane**, a precise graphite drawing by Joseph Stone from around 1937, captures essence of an American folk art object measuring 46 inches long and20 inches high. Rendered on paper (22.6 x 29 cm), this work belongs to the National Gallery of Art's of American Design collection, Stonefield's meticulous draftsmanship in documenting everyday artifacts with fine lines and subtle shading. Created as part of the Federal Art under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, the Index aimed to record and celebrate America's rich folk art heritage. Weather vanes like t...