Pitcher

Art Historical Context

**Pitcher** *Roberta Spicer, c. 1940* Pen and ink on paperboard 35.3 × 28 cm (13⅞ × 11 in.); depicts original object 7½ in. high, 3¾ in. base diameter *Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art* by artist Roberta Spicer around 1940, this pen and ink drawing on paperboard captures the elegant form of a traditional American pitcher. Part of the Index of American (IAD), a WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s and early 1940s, it meticulously documents everyday objects that reflect America's rich folk art heritage. Spicer's rendering highlights the pitcher's graceful curves and functional proportions—standing just 7½ inches tall with a 3¾-inch base—showcasing the craftsmanship of early American potters. The IAD employed over 200 artists to produce thousands of such detailed studies, preserving cultural artifacts at risk during the Great Depression. Pen and ink, with its fine lines and stark contrasts, allowed Spicer to emphasize texture, shadow, and silhouette, making the ordinary pitcher a study in design ingenuity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this work invites us to appreciate how humble household items embodied American ingenuity and aesthetic sensibility, bridging art and history for future generations.

About the Artist

Roberta Spicer · 1855–present

Roberta Spicer was an American artist active around 1935, best known for her contributions to the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project initiative launched during the Great Depression. This ambitious New Deal program commissioned artists across the United States to create precise watercolor renderings of historical American folk art, crafts, and everyd...