Weather Vane
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 28.2 x 40.7 cm (11 1/8 x 16 in.) Original IAD Object: 18" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16259
Art Historical Context
**Weather Vane** by Donald Donovan, created 1937, captures the charm of an everyday American folk art object through delicate watercolor and graphite on paper. Measuring 28.2 x 40.7 cm, this precise rendering depicts an original 18-inch-long weather vane, a functional yet whimsical design often perched atop barns and homes to indicate wind direction. Donovan's use of watercolor brings vibrant hues and subtle textures to the metal form, while graphite adds fine lines for intricate details, highlighting the craftsmanship of these utilitarian sculptures. This artwork is part of the *Index of Ame...
About the Artist
Donald Donovan
Donald Donovan (c. 1905–1944) was an American artist whose career centered on the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. This ambitious endeavor commissioned artists across the United States to create meticulous watercolor renderings of everyday folk art objects, preserving the nation's vernacular design heritage ...