"Bull's Eye" Glass

Art Historical Context

**"Bull's Eye"** by John Tarantino captures the charm of early American glassmaking in a precise watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 30.5 x 22.6 cm. Created between 1935 and 1942, this work depicts "bull's eye" glass—a distinctive type of handblown window pane from the colonial era, marked by its central thick spot, or "bullseye," formed during the spinning process in crown glass production. These imperfections were not flaws but signatures of artisanal craft, often found in historic New England homes. As part of the *Index of American Design* (IAD), a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Tarantino's piece reflects a Depression-era effort to document and celebrate everyday American folk art and design. The IAD commissioned artists nationwide to produce over 15,000 detailed renderings of objects, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, it highlights how such glass symbolized resourcefulness and regional pride. Tarantino's technique—vibrant watercolors layered with graphite for fine lines—brings the glass's subtle distortions and luster to life, mimicking its refractive qualities on paper. This artwork invites visitors to appreciate the humble beauty of vernacular design, bridging colonial craftsmanship with modern preservation.

About the Artist

John Tarantino · 1855–present

John Tarantino was an American artist active from around 1935 to 1953, best known for his meticulous 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 renderings of everyday folk art objects, preserving the nation's vernacular design heritage a...