Water or Wine Jug
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite and colored pencil on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 54.3 x 45.3 cm (21 3/8 x 17 13/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 15" High (approx)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.7464
Art Historical Context
**Water or Wine Jug** by Nicholas Amantea (c. 1939) is a meticulous rendering of a humble yet elegant vessel, captured in watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard. Measuring 54.3 x 45.3 cm overall, this work faithfully documents a jug standing approximately 15 inches high, evoking the everyday craftsmanship of American life. Aman's precise lines and subtle hues bring out the jug's form, texture, and possible earthenware qualities, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty in utilitarian objects. Created as part of the **Index of American Design** (IAD), a Federal Art Project und...
About the Artist
Nicholas Amantea
Nicholas Amantea (1900–1978) was an American artist born on July 13, 1900, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His early life and artistic training are not well documented, but by the mid-1930s, he had established himself in New York City, where he contributed significantly to federal art initiatives during the Great Depression. From March 13, 1936, to July 15, 1942, Amantea worked for the Works Progress...