Vase
c. 1940
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 36.7 x 29.2 cm (14 7/16 x 11 1/2 in.) Original IAD Object: 10" High 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
1943.8.6399
Art Historical Context
John Tarantino's *Vase* (c. 1940) is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 36.7 x 29.2 cm (14 7/16 x 11 1/2 in.). This piece depicts an original object standing 10 inches high and 8 inches, showcasing the meticulous detail of everyday American craftsmanship. As part of the National Gallery of Art's collection, it exemplifies the artist's skill in capturing form, texture, and subtle color variations through fluid watercolor washes and precise graphite lines. Created for the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to ...
About the Artist
John Tarantino
John Tarantino was an American artist active from around 1935 to 1953, best known for his meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create precise renderings of everyday folk art objects, preserving the nation's vernacular design heritage a...