Pitcher

Art Historical Context

Gordon Saltar's *Pitcher* (c. 1936) is a vibrant rendering from the Index of American Design, a WPA Federal Art Project that employed artists during the Great Depression to document America's rich folk art and everyday objects. Created with watercolor, colored pencil,, and pen and ink paper (22.8 x 30.4 cm), this-media work captures the essence of a humble yet elegant pitcher, transforming a utilitarian item into a celebration of American craftsmanship. The Index, active from 1935 to 1942, produced over 15,000 such precise, colorful plates to preserve cultural heritage amid economic hardship, influencing later design and museum collections. Saltar's meticulous technique—layering translucent watercolors for depth, sharp ink lines for contours, and graphite for subtle shading—highlights the pitcher's form, texture, and subtle decorative motifs, evoking early American pottery traditions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece underscores the project's role in elevating vernacular design, reminding visitors of the artistry in ordinary objects and the vital public support for American creatives during tough times.