Wood and Stone Carving
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 55.8 x 44.7 cm (21 15/16 x 17 5/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.12783
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 Depre...
About the Artist
Clyde L. Cheney
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...