Who created "Wooden Doll"?

Wooden Doll was created by Bertha Semple in c. 1938.

When was "Wooden Doll" created?

This artwork was created c. 1938.

What medium is "Wooden Doll"?

Wooden Doll is watercolor and graphite on paper.

Is "Wooden Doll" in the public domain?

Yes, Wooden Doll is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Wooden Doll

Bertha Semple

c. 1938

Medium

watercolor and graphite on paper

Dimensions

overall: 35.7 x 28 cm (14 1/16 x 11 in.) Original IAD Object: 9" high

Classification

Index of American Design

Department

CG-W

Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Credit

Index of American Design

Accession Number

1943.8.15518

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate *Wooden Doll*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Bertha Semple, around 1938. This 35.7 x 28 cm work meticulously documents a 9-inch-high folk art treasure from America's material culture, capturing its carved wooden form with exquisite precision. Semple's skilled hand brings the doll to life through soft washes of watercolor for texture and depth, paired with fine graphite lines for intricate details like facial features and clothing folds. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD)—a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administr...

About the Artist

Bertha Semple

Bertha Semple is an artist for whom reliable biographical documentation is currently sparse. Her dates, nationality, and the details of her training have not been firmly established in the available art historical record, making it difficult to place her work within a specific school or movement with confidence. The works associated with her name suggest an artist with genuine technical engagemen...

Wooden Doll

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