Wood and Stone Carving

Art Historical Context

"Wood and Stone Carving is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Clyde L. Cheney created between 1935 and 1942. Measuring 55.8 x 44.7 cm, this precise captures the intricate details of traditional American folk art—a carved object blending wood and stone elements. Cheney's skilled use of watercolor adds subtle color washes and textures, while graphite lines provide sharp definition, evoking the tactile quality of the original craftsmanship. This work is part of the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Launched in 1935, the Index commissioned over 18,000 artists to document America's rich heritage of decorative arts, from quilts to whirligigs, preserving objects that might otherwise be lost to time. Cheney's contribution highlights regional carving traditions, showcasing the ingenuity of anonymous artisans who transformed everyday materials into expressive forms. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece not only celebrates American vernacular design but also reflects the era's cultural revival efforts. It invites visitors to appreciate how folk art embodied community stories and self-reliance, bridging historical craft with modern appreciation.

About the Artist

Clyde L. Cheney · 1895–1968

Clyde L. Cheney is an artist about whom little is currently known. No dates of birth or death have been established, and his nationality and artistic training are not documented in surviving historical records. With nearly fifty works attributed to him in institutional collections, Cheney's output points to an active career. The middle initial suggests a deliberate professional identity, but corr...