Sampler

c. 1938

Alfred Walbeck

Associated Names
Alfred Walbeck

Artist, American, active c. 1935

This is a photograph of an embroidery sampler. The image depicts a hand-stitched piece of fabric displaying several rows of the alphabet in different styles of lettering and the numbers 1 through 10. Below the rows of letters and numbers, text reads, "Eunice W Cooks Sampler Wrought in the 10th year of her age AD 1813." Beneath the text, there are depictions of three green trees and a small yellow basket or pot. The entire piece is surrounded by a decorative border that features floral motifs in earth tones. The background fabric appears to be a light brown or tan color, and the embroidery is executed in various colors including dark brown, green, yellow, and blue.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper

  • Credit Line

    Index of American Design

  • Dimensions

    overall: 32.3 x 34.9 cm (12 11/16 x 13 3/4 in.)
    Original IAD Object: 11 1/2" high; 12 1/2" wide

  • Accession Number

    1943.8.15

More About this Artwork

This painting depicts an angel in flight, facing the left and playing a trumpet. The angel's wings are spread out behind them, and their feet are extended out horizontally to the right. A small rod or post extends downward from the torso of the angel. The angel is entirely painted in shades of yellow, reddish-brown, and gray, reminiscent of weathered metal with patches of rust. Small rivets are visible at joints and edges of the angel, which appears to be comprised of small panels. The background of the painting is plain beige paper.

Article:  Seven Highlights from the Index of American Design

Peer into the American past with a collection of Great Depression–era watercolors.


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2013

  • Florida's "Useable Past": The Sunshine State and the Index of American Design, The George D. and Harriet W. Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park, 2013, unnumbered catalogue.

Bibliography

1970

  • Hornung, Clarence P., Treasury of American Design, New York: 1970, p. 574, no. 2098.

2013

  • Walt

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: A. WALBECK

Wikidata ID

Q64534430

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