Pa. German Cider Jug
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 49.6 x 37 cm (19 1/2 x 14 9/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.13038
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the National Gallery of's exploration of American folk art! "Pa. German Cider Jug a captivating watercolor, graphite, and gouache by Charles T. Smith around 1938, meticulously captures the vibrant form and decorative details of a traditional Pennsylvania German pottery vessel. Measuring 49.6 x 37 cm, this work on paperboard showcases the jug's characteristic slip-decorated surface, likely adorned with bold motifs inspired by 18th- and 19th-century craftsmanship from German-speaking communities in Pennsylvania. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a WPA-era federal projec...