Glass Cologne Bottle

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate *Glass Cologne Bottle*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by artist John Dana, created around 1940. Measuring 28.9 x 22.6 cm, this work on paperboard captures the elegant curves and shimmering facets of a classic glass perfume vessel, evoking the refined artistry of American decorative objects from earlier eras. As part of the Index of American Design—a monumental WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942—this piece exemplifies a national effort to document and celebrate everyday American crafts amid the Great Depression. Hundreds of artists like Dana produced over 15,000 precise, colorful renderings of folk art, furniture, and glassware, preserving cultural heritage for future generations. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, it highlights how such designs blended European influences with American ingenuity. Dana's technique masterfully employs watercolor for luminous transparency and graphite for fine detailing, mimicking the bottle's refractive glass qualities. This artwork not only showcases technical skill but also underscores the cultural role of perfume bottles as luxurious personal artifacts, bridging utility and beauty in mid-20th-century American life. A testament to artistic preservation!

About the Artist

John Dana · 1855–present

**John Dana** (American, active c. 1935) was a meticulous draftsman whose artistic legacy is inextricably linked to the Index of American Design, a landmark Works Progress Administration (WPA) project launched during the Great Depression to catalog and celebrate the nation's folk art and craftsmanship. Operating primarily out of the New York City project, Dana produced hundreds of precise renderin...