Pewter Pitcher
c. 1936
Medium
graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 29.5 x 23 cm (11 5/8 x 9 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 5 3/4" high; 6 1/2" wide
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.13067
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Pewter Pitcher*, a meticulous graphite drawing by Max Schwartz, created around 1936. This 29.5 x 23 cm study captures the elegant form of an original pewter vessel measuring 5 3/4 inches high and 6 1/2 inches wide. Schwartz's precise lines highlight the pitcher's graceful curves, flared spout, and sturdy handle, evoking the refined craftsmanship of early American metalwork. As part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942—this artwork preserves vanishing examples of U.S. folk art and decorative traditions. Artists like Schwartz pro...