Fish Weather Vane
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 24.1 x 35.5 cm (9 1/2 x 14 in.) Original IAD Object: 30" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16261
Art Historical Context
**Fish Weather Vane** *Frances Matsubara, c. 1938* Watercolor and graphite on paper, 24.1 x 35.5 cm (9 1/2 x 14 in.) *Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art* This delicate watercolor and graphite rendering by Japanese American artist Frances Matsubara captures whimsical form of a 30-inch-long fish weather vane, a classic example of American folk art. around 1938, the artwork showcases the vane's sinuous body, fins, and tail with precise lines and subtle color washes, highlighting its functional yet decorative design. Weather vanes like this one, often perched atop barns and h...