Water Jug
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 41.8 x 33.5 cm (16 7/16 x 13 3/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 11" High
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.5113
Art Historical Context
George Loughridge's *Water Jug* (c. 1938) is a meticulously rendered depiction of a traditional American ceramic vessel, captured in watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite onboard. Measuring 41.8 x 33.5 cm, this work faithfully reproduces the jug's simple, functional form—originally about 11 inches high—ing its smooth contours, subtle glazing, and everyday utility. Loughridge's precise lines and soft shading bring out the object's tactile qualities, evoking the humble craftsmanship of early American pottery. Created as part of the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking Federal Art Proje...
About the Artist
George Loughridge
George Loughridge was an American artist active during the 1930s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious New Deal initiative, running from 1935 to 1943, commissioned hundreds of artists across the United States to create meticulously detailed watercolor renderings of everyday American fol...