Kettle
c. 1940
Medium
graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 34.6 x 24.5 cm (13 5/8 x 9 5/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.11946
Art Historical Context
**Kettle**, a meticulous graphite drawing by Maurice Van Felix from around 1940, captures the humble yet elegant form of a traditional American kettle. Measuring 34.6 x 24.5 cm, this work exemplifies the precision of graphite on paper, a medium ideal for rendering fine details like the kettle's curved spout, sturdy handle, and subtle surface textures. Van Felix's skilled draftsmanship highlights the object's functional beauty, turning an everyday utensil into a study of craftsmanship. Created as part of the *Index of American Design*, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s an...
About the Artist
Maurice Van Felix
Maurice Van Felix was born on March 16, 1889, in Łódź, Poland, and later became a prominent figure in American art circles after immigrating to the United States. His early training took place in Poland and France, where he honed his skills as a painter and etcher before settling in Brooklyn, New York, by 1919. Though details of his formal education remain sparse, Van Felix quickly established him...