Wooden Chair

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Wooden Chair*, a 1938 rendering by artist Clyde L. Cheney, captured in watercolor, colored pencil, and on paperboard (35.8 × 28.1 cm). This is a gem from the Index of American Design (IAD), a ambitious Art Project launched in 5 under the Works Progress (WPA) during Great Depression. The I employed hundreds of artists across U.S. to document American folk art and crafts precise, colorful illustrations, cultural heritage at risk of being lost. ey's drawing vividly recreates simple yet elegant wooden chair—originally 32 inches high with an 18¼-inch-wide seat—highlighting its sturdy form, smooth grain, and understated craftsmanship. By layering translucent watercolors for depth, fine colored pencil for texture, and graphite for sharp details, he captures not just the object's appearance but its tactile essence, evoking vernacular American design traditions from rural workshops. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this piece underscores the IAD's mission to celebrate democratic artistry, bridging fine art with functional objects. It invites us to appreciate the quiet beauty of everyday furnishings that shaped American homes, reminding visitors of our shared inventive spirit.

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...