Jug

Art Historical Context

Behold the elegant *Jug*, a meticulous rendering by artist Henry Meyers created between 1935 and1942. Measuring 35.5 x 29.1 cm, this work on paperboard combines watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink to vividly capture the form, texture, and subtle details of a traditional American vessel. Meyers' precise technique transforms a humble everyday object into a study of craftsmanship, highlighting its curves, handle, and surface qualities with a blend of fluid color washes and fine-line precision. This artwork is a gem from the *Index of American Design*, a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Launched in 1935 and spanning into 1942, the initiative employed artists nationwide to document over 18,000 examples of American folk art, crafts, and design—from pottery to quilts—preserving the nation's cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Meyers' contribution underscores the artistic value of utilitarian objects, bridging historical craftsmanship with modern documentation. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this piece invites us to appreciate how such jugs embodied everyday American ingenuity, often rooted in colonial or regional traditions. Through Meyers' skilled hand, it celebrates the beauty in the functional, reminding visitors of our shared design legacy.

About the Artist

Henry Meyers · 1855–present

Henry Meyers was an American artist active during the 1930s and early 1940s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a monumental Works Progress Administration (WPA) project that sought to document the nation's rich heritage of folk art, crafts, and decorative objects. Operating under the Federal Art Project, Meyers produced precise, watercolor and graphite renderings of ...