Pa. German Chalkware Squirrel c. 1939

This watercolor drawing by Inez McCombs, created around 1939, depicts a Pennsylvania German chalkware squirrel. Chalkware, a type of decorative art popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, is made from plaster of paris and often painted with bright colors. The squirrel, crafted in a stylized manner, is depicted in a seated position, its tail raised and its paws clasped together. The use of muted tones and the delicate details of the squirrel's fur, suggest the artist's skill in depicting the intricacies of the chalkware.