Wooden Horse Weather Vane
c. 1940
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 29.9 x 42.5 cm (11 3/4 x 16 3/4 in.) Original IAD Object: 61" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16245
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Wooden Horse Weather V*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Alfred H. Smith, created around 1940. Measuring 29.9 x 42.5 cm, this artwork faithfully captures the spirited form of a traditional American folk object—a 61-inch-long weather vane depicting a dynamic horse in mid-gallop. Smith's precise graphite outlines and vibrant watercolors bring the sculptural details to life, from the flowing mane to the whimsical proportions typical of vernacular craftsmanship. This piece is part of the *Index of American Design*, a monumental WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s...
About the Artist
Alfred H. Smith
Alfred H. Smith was an American artist active from around 1935 to 1953, best known for his meticulous watercolor and graphite drawings documenting American folk and decorative arts. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented beyond his contributions to federal art initiatives. During the Great Depression, Smith participated in the In...