Ruby Vase
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 27.9 x 22.9 cm (11 x 9 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.10928
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Ruby Vase*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by artist Ralph Atkinson, created around 1936. Measuring 11 x 9 inches, this delicate work on paper captures the luminous glow and intricate form of a classic American glass vase, its ruby hue evoking the elegance of 19th-century decorative arts. Atkinson's precise lines and vibrant washes highlight the vase's graceful curves and rich translucency, transforming a humble object into a study of light, color, and craftsmanship. This piece is a gem from the *Index of American Design*, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project ...
About the Artist
Ralph Atkinson
Ralph Atkinson (1913–1995) was an American artist whose precise and evocative watercolor renderings captured the essence of everyday American folk art objects during the Great Depression era. He is best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a monumental Works Progress Administration (WPA) project launched in 1935 that commissioned hundreds of artists to document the nation's...