Cup Plate

Art Historical Context

This watercolor, graphite, and heightening rendering on paperboard, created around 1936 by Florence Stevenson, presents a cup plate as documented in the Index of American Design. The artwork measures 11 by 9 inches, while the original object it depicts is a compact 3.5 by 3.5 inches. Stevenson's meticulous approach highlights the fine details of this small domestic item, showcasing the skill involved in these documentary illustrations. The Index of American Design, a project of the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration, ran from 1935 to 1942. It employed artists like Stevenson to create accurate visual records of American decorative arts and folk crafts. These renderings, now housed at the National Gallery of Art, form an invaluable archive that captures the diversity of American material culture during a time of economic struggle, providing both historical documentation and artistic employment. Cup plates were practical yet decorative items used in American homes, typically to rest hot teacups and protect surfaces. This rendering preserves the design of such an object, offering museum visitors a glimpse into the everyday aesthetics of the past and underscoring the Index's role in celebrating ordinary American craftsmanship.