Pitcher

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Pitcher*, a meticulous rendering by Italian-American artist Giacinto Cap, created around 1940. This detailed depiction captures a classic American design object—a graceful pitcher standing 13 inches tall, with a 6¾-inch diameter at the lip and 6 inches at base. Crafted in watercolor, graphite, and pencil on paperboard (45.5 x 37.5 cm overall),elli's work showcases the vessel's elegant form, likely highlighting its ceramic craftsmanship and functional beauty from America's folk art tradition. As part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942—this artwork exemplifies a national effort to document and celebrate everyday American objects. During the Great Depression, over 15,000 such renderings by 200 artists preserved the ingenuity of colonial and 19th-century design, fostering cultural pride and artistic employment. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it reflects how these studies blended precision drafting with vibrant artistry. Capelli's technique—combining graphite for fine lines, watercolor for luminous color, and colored pencil for subtle shading—brings historical artifacts to life, making them accessible today. This pitcher invites us to appreciate the anonymous makers whose simple forms embody enduring American spirit.

About the Artist

Giacinto Capelli · 1855–present

**Giacinto Capelli** (American, active c. 1935–1942) contributed significantly to the documentation of American material culture through his precise watercolor renderings as part of the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Little is known about his early life or formal training, which remains sparsely documented, though his expertise in wat...