Ladle

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate rendering of a *Ladle* by Angelo Bulone, created around 1936 as part of the Index of American Design. This-era project, launched during the Great Depression, commissioned artists across the U.S. to document everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objects through precise, colorful illustrations. Bulone's work captures the humble yet elegant form of a ladle—likely a functional kitchen tool elevated to cultural artifact—preserving its contours and patina for posterity in the National Gallery of Art. Executed in watercolor and graphite on paperboard (22.9 x 30.5 cm), the piece exemplifies the Index's meticulous technique: graphite for sharp outlines and structural details, layered with translucent watercolors to evoke the ladle's material textures, perhaps wood or metal sheen. This hybrid medium allowed artists like Bulone to blend scientific accuracy with artistic flair, bridging fine art and design documentation. Today, this ladle study highlights America's rich tradition of vernacular craftsmanship, reminding us how ordinary objects reflect regional ingenuity and daily life. A testament to New Deal creativity, it invites visitors to appreciate the artistry in the everyday.

About the Artist

Angelo Bulone · 1918–2008

Angelo Bulone (c. 1918–2008) was an American artist active during the Great Depression era, best known for his contributions to the Works Progress Administration's (WPA) Federal Art Project, particularly the Index of American Design. Working out of Cleveland, Ohio, as part of the Ohio WPA Art Program, Bulone created meticulous watercolor and graphite renderings that documented everyday American fo...