Flask
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 24.9 x 22.9 cm (9 13/16 x 9 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.10984
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate rendering *Flask* by Charles Caseau, created around 1936 as part of the Index of American Design. This WPA-era project, launched during the Great Depression, employed artists across the United States to meticulously document the nation's folk art, crafts, and everyday objects. Caseau's work captures the essence of an early American flask—likely a humble yet elegant vessel from our decorative arts heritage—preserving its form for future generations at the National Gallery of Art. Crafted in watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard (measuring 24.9 x 22.9 cm), the piec...
About the Artist
Charles Caseau
**Charles Caseau** (1880–?), an American artist born in Boston, Massachusetts, remains a figure whose early life and artistic training are not well documented. Known primarily for his work in illustration, painting, and design, Caseau emerged during the Great Depression era, contributing significantly to federal art initiatives that celebrated everyday American craftsmanship. Caseau's most promin...