Whirligig

Art Historical Context

Behold the delightful *Whirligig*, a graphite drawing on paperboard by Bernard Westott, created around 1936. Measuring 29 x 22.6 cm, this precise rendering captures a charming American folk art object—a 12½-inch-high wooden whirligig, the kind that spins merrily in the breeze on stick, often carved with whimsical figures like sailors, farmers, or animals. Westmacott's meticulous lines evoke the playful motion and craftsmanship of these 19th-century vernacular toys, popular at county fairs and rural homes. This artwork is a gem from the Index of American Design (IAD), a New Deal-era project under the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project (1935–1942). Artists like Westmacott documented everyday American objects to celebrate the nation's cultural heritage amid the Great Depression. Graphite renderings like this preserved the details of fragile folk art, ensuring their legacy for future generations. Whirligigs symbolize Yankee ingenuity and whimsy, blending utility with artistry in humble materials like pine and paint. Displayed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, *Whirligig* invites us to appreciate how ordinary creations reflect America's spirited folk traditions— a spinning testament to creativity born of simplicity.