Woman's Shoe
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 30.5 x 24.1 cm (12 x 9 1/2 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.1915
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate *Woman's Shoe*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Francis Law Durand, created around 1938. This work is a gem from the Index of American Design, a WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s and 1940s. by the U.S. government during the Great Depression, the Index commissioned artists like Durand to meticulously document everyday American objects—from folk art to industrial designs—preserving the nation's cultural heritage through over 15,000 precise illustrations. Durand's technique shines in the watercolor's luminous hues and graphite's fine lines on sturdy pa...
About the Artist
Francis Law Durand
**Francis Law Durand (1906–1995)** Born on March 31, 1906, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Francis Law Durand emerged as a skilled American draftsman and artist during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented beyond his professional output. By 1935, he was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), ...