Water Pitcher

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate rendering of *Water Pitcher* by John Dana, created around 1936. This intimate watercolor, graphite, and gouache work on paperboard measures just 26.9 x 22.6 cm, capturing the form of a classic American water pitcher with meticulous detail. Dana's skilled hand brings out the vessel's graceful curves, subtle sheen, and functional beauty, transforming everyday crockery into a celebrated object of design. As part of the of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s—this piece exemplifies a national effort to document and preserve America's rich folk art and decorative traditions amid the Great Depression. Artists like Dana produced over 18,000 vibrant, accurate studies of historical objects, from quilts to furniture, fostering pride in everyday craftsmanship and influencing modern design appreciation. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, it credits the Index itself, highlighting collaborative cultural preservation. Dana's mixed-media technique—graphite for precise outlines, watercolor and gouache for luminous color and texture—lends a lifelike quality, bridging fine art and documentary precision. For visitors, it's a window into America's inventive spirit, where humble pitchers embodied utility and artistry.

About the Artist

John Dana · 1855–present

**John Dana** (American, active c. 1935) was a meticulous draftsman whose artistic legacy is inextricably linked to the Index of American Design, a landmark Works Progress Administration (WPA) project launched during the Great Depression to catalog and celebrate the nation's folk art and craftsmanship. Operating primarily out of the New York City project, Dana produced hundreds of precise renderin...