Ruby Bowl with Clear Foot

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Ruby Bowl with Clear Foot*, a captivating 1936 watercolor, gouache, and graphite by Marcus Moran, measuring 35.7 x 27.9 cm. This precise depiction captures the elegant curves and vibrant crimson hues of an exquisite glass vessel, its clear foot adding a delicate contrast that highlights the craftsmanship of American decorative arts. Moran's work invites viewers to appreciate the subtle play of light and transparency in everyday luxury objects from America's past. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project during the Great Depression—this piece belongs to a vast visual archive documenting over 18,000 examples of American folk and decorative arts from colonial times to the early 20th century. Launched in 1935, the Index employed artists like Moran to produce meticulous, colorful studies that celebrated national heritage amid economic hardship, preserving cultural identity through art. Moran's masterful use of gouache for opaque, jewel-like reds and watercolors for translucent effects, combined with graphite for fine details, exemplifies the Index's photorealistic style. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, it underscores the enduring value of American ingenuity in glassmaking, offering modern visitors a window into a richly crafted legacy.