Weather Vane
c. 1940
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 35.7 x 55.9 cm (14 1/16 x 22 in.) Original IAD Object: 10 1/2" high; 28" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16317
Art Historical Context
Frank Budash's *Weather Vane* (c. 1940) is a meticulous watercolor and graphite rendering on paper, capturing the intricate details of an American folk art object measuring 10½ inches high and 28 inches long. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942, this work exemplifies the program's mission to document and celebrate everyday examples of American craftsmanship during the Great Depression. Budash's precise technique—combining soft watercolor washes for texture and graphite for fine lines—brings the vane's sculptural form to li...
About the Artist
Frank Budash
Frank Budash was an American artist active during the late 1930s and early 1940s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create precise watercolor and graphite renderings of everyday American objects, folk crafts, and decorative ...