Silver Mug
Medium
graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 30.6 x 22.9 cm (12 1/16 x 9 in.) Original IAD Object: 4 1/2" high; 4 7/8" wide
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.14398
Art Historical Context
This exquisite graphite drawing, titled *Silver Mug*, captures the elegance of an early American silver vessel, rendered with meticulous detail by artists Simon Weiss and Charlotte Winter around 1936. Measuring 30.6 x 22.9 cm, the work depicts an original object just 4½ inches high and 4⅞ inches wide, showcasing the mug's graceful proportions and subtle craftsmanship typical of colonial-era silversmithing. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD)—a landmark WPA Federal Art Project during the Depression—this piece exemplifies the program's mission to document and celebrate America...