Mortar

Art Historical Context

**Mortar**, a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering by Hester Duany around 1940, captures the humble elegance of an everyday American kitchen tool. Part of the prestigious Index of American Design (IAD), this 36 x 28 cm work on paperboard meticulously documents a mortar—originally 9 5/16 inches high and 4 7/8 inches wide—likely a utilitarian stone or wooden vessel used for grinding spices or grains. Duany's precise graphite outlines and subtle watercolor washes highlight its form, texture, and patina, transforming a functional object into a study of folk craftsmanship. Created during the Great Depression as a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the IAD commissioned over 15,000 such renderings by artists like Duany to celebrate and preserve America's diverse material culture. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W Department, this piece underscores the movement's mission: to recognize the artistic merit in vernacular designs from colonial times through the 19th century, bridging fine art and everyday life. Duany's technique exemplifies the IAD's blend of realism and artistry, making historical artifacts accessible today. Visitors will appreciate how it evokes the tactile heritage of American homes, reminding us that beauty often lies in the practical.

About the Artist

Hester Duany · 1891–1964

Hester Duany (1891–1964) was an American artist best known for her meticulous renderings of traditional American folk art objects as part of the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. Working out of the New York City Project, Duany contributed dozens of watercolor and graphite drawings on paperboard that captured the intrica...