Stoneware Jar
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, graphite and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 27.7 x 22.7 cm (10 7/8 x 8 15/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.5016
Art Historical Context
Behold the exquisite *Stoneware Jar* by Annie B. Johnston, captivating watercolor rendering from around 1937, now housed in the National Gallery of Art. This detailed depiction, measuring 27.7 x 22.7 cm, a humble yet elegant American ceramic vessel, its earthy tones and robust form evoking the everyday artistry of early craftspeople. Created as part of the Index of Design—a groundbreaking Works Progress Administration (WPA project during the Great DepressionJohnston's work preserves the essence of American folk art and craftsmanship. Launched in 1935, the Index employed artists nationwide to ...
About the Artist
Annie B. Johnston
Annie B. Johnston was an American artist active in the late 1930s, recognized for her contributions to the Index of American Design, the New Deal-era federal program that commissioned artists to create meticulous watercolor renderings of American folk and decorative arts objects. Working in watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, and pen and ink on paper, Johnston brought technical precision and sen...