Jar
probably 1937/1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 45.5 x 38.2 cm (17 15/16 x 15 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 12" High 6" Dia(mouth)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.6342
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate rendering of *Jar* by Jean Peszel, created around 1937/1938 as part of the Index of American Design. This watercolor and graphite depiction on paperboard (45.5 x 38.2 cm) captures modest yet elegant ceramic vessel—originally 12 inches high with a 6-inch mouth diameter—showcasing the refined craftsmanship of American folk pottery. Peszel's precise lines and subtle color washes bring the jar's smooth curves, subtle glazing, and functional form to life, inviting us to appreciate everyday objects as art. Produced under the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administrati...
About the Artist
Jean Peszel
Jean Peszel was an American artist active around 1935, best known for her contributions to the Index of American Design, a landmark Depression-era initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project. Working primarily on the New York City project, Peszel created meticulous watercolor renderings of everyday American folk art and decorative objects, helping to catalog and pr...