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This is a drawing of an elephant adorned with decorative coverings. The image depicts a small, grey elephant with its trunk raised. The elephant is embellished with a vibrant, ornately patterned cloth atop its back, consisting of rich reds and greens, along with white floral motifs. The artistic technique displays a clear use of shading, giving depth to the elephant's form and accentuating the folds and textures of its skin and coverings. The background of the drawing is a simple, unadorned field. The signature of the artist appears in a red script in the lower left corner of the drawing.
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This is a drawing of an elephant adorned with decorative coverings. The image depicts a small, grey elephant with its trunk raised. The elephant is embellished with a vibrant, ornately patterned cloth atop its back, consisting of rich reds and greens, along with white floral motifs. The artistic technique displays a clear use of shading, giving depth to the elephant's form and accentuating the folds and textures of its skin and coverings. The background of the drawing is a simple, unadorned field. The signature of the artist appears in a red script in the lower left corner of the drawing.

National Gallery of Art · Index of American Design

Bank: Elephant

Charles Moss

Date
1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 21.8 x 29.5 cm (8 9/16 x 11 5/8 in.) Original IAD Object: 5 1/2" high; 6 1/2" long; 2 1/2" wide
Classification
Index of American Design · Drawing
Accession number
1943.8.8445
Credit line
Index of American Design
Time span
1926 to 1950
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • American
Inscription

lower left in watercolor" Chas F. Moss / 38

NGA object ID 20642. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.