Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This watercolor and graphite rendering titled *Pitcher*, created by Joseph Sudek circa 1936, exemplifies the precise documentary approach of the Index of American Design. Measuring 28.1 by 23.4 centimeters on paperboard, the work carefully records the form, proportions, and surface qualities of a pitcher using watercolor for subtle color and graphite for fine structural details. It forms part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection of these specialized illustrations. The Index of American Design assembled a visual catalog of American decorative arts and crafts through artist-made records of objects ranging from household wares to folk pieces. Sudek’s *Pitcher* contributes to that archive by presenting a functional everyday item with the accuracy needed for study and preservation. The original object, noted as roughly 7 inches wide, represents the kind of practical yet thoughtfully designed ware that characterized much of American material culture. Such works hold lasting cultural value because they capture objects that might otherwise have vanished, allowing viewers to examine design, craftsmanship, and daily life from the period. The combination of media on paperboard proved especially suited to this purpose, producing clear, durable images that continue to inform our understanding of American artistic traditions.

About the Artist

Joseph Sudek

Josef Sudek (1896–1976) was a Czech photographer widely regarded as one of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century, known for his poetic, intimate images of Prague and his mastery of light. Born in Kolín, Bohemia, he lost his right arm during World War I and turned to photography during his convalescence, studying at the State School of Graphic Arts in Prague from 1922 to 1924. Sudek ...