Two Weather Vanes

Art Historical Context

"Two Weather Vanes," created around 1936 by artist Elmer G. Anderson, is a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 35.4 x 26.1 cm. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this work belongs to the Index of American Design (IAD), a monumental WPA Federal Art Project from the Great Depression era (1935–1942). Anderson meticulously documented two traditional American weather vanes—originally 24 inches long and 12 inches high—capturing their functional beauty as rooftop sentinels that pointed the way of the wind. Weather vanes, a hallmark of early American folk art, often featured whimsical motifs like animals or figures, blending practicality with craftsmanship. The IAD sought to preserve these everyday objects of cultural heritage, employing artists like Anderson to produce precise, colorful plates that highlighted regional designs and handiwork. His use of watercolor brought vibrant life to the metal forms, while graphite added fine details, making the vanes leap off the page as if swaying in the breeze. This piece not only showcases Anderson's skilled draftsmanship but also underscores the IAD's mission to celebrate America's vernacular artistry amid economic hardship, offering visitors a window into the inventive spirit of our nation's past.

About the Artist

Elmer G. Anderson · 1855–present

**Elmer G. Anderson** was an American artist best known for his meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project that documented the nation's folk art heritage during the Great Depression. Active primarily in the 1930s, Anderson studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), where he earned prestigious Cresson Traveling Scholarsh...