Jar

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Jar*, a meticulously rendered depiction by artist George Loughridge around 1938. Created as watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paperboard (45.1 x 38.1 cm), this captures the form and subtle details of an original American object measuring 9 inches high with a 7¼-inch top diameter and 7¾-inch base. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Index of American Design collection, it exemplifies the precision of Loughridge's hand in documenting everyday craftsmanship. This artwork stems from the Index of American Design, a landmark WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942) during the Great Depression. Hundreds of artists like Loughridge produced over 18,000 watercolor renderings to celebrate and preserve America's folk art heritage—from quilts and pottery to tools and furniture—creating a visual archive of cultural identity amid economic hardship. Loughridge's mixed-media technique shines in conveying the jar's contours, sheen, and tactile qualities, blending fluid watercolor washes with the fine lines of colored pencil and graphite for lifelike accuracy. Far more than a sketch, it underscores the artistic value of humble domestic objects, inviting us to appreciate the ingenuity of American makers and the enduring role of design in daily life.

About the Artist

George Loughridge · 1855–present

George Loughridge was an American artist active during the 1930s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious New Deal initiative, running from 1935 to 1943, commissioned hundreds of artists across the United States to create meticulously detailed watercolor renderings of everyday American fol...