Decoy
c. 1941
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 28.5 x 35.5 cm (11 1/4 x 14 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.17123
Art Historical Context
"Decoy" by Selmaler, created around 1941, is a meticulous rendering in watercolor, graphite, pen ink on paperboard, measuring 28.5 x 35.5 cm. This intimate-scale work captures the essence of an American folk art object—a carved wooden duck decoy used by hunters—with remarkable precision and vibrant color. Sandler's skilled use of mixed media allows for fine details in texture, from the feathers' subtle shading to the glossy sheen of paint, evoking the tactile quality of the original craft. As part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a WPA-era project from 1935 to 1942, this artwork served ...