Bread Basket
c. 1938
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 22.7 x 30.8 cm (8 15/16 x 12 1/8 in.) Original IAD Object: 12" diameter of top; 7" diameter of base
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.8597
Art Historical Context
**Bread Basket**, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Alfonso Moreno circa 1938, meticulously captures the humble elegance of a traditional American bread basket. Measuring 22.7 x 30.8 cm on paper, this work depicts an object with a 12-inch top diameter tapering to a 7-inch, showcasing its graceful, utilitarian form likely woven from natural materials. Moreno, a skilled illustrator, renders every weave and contour with precision, evoking the everyday artistry of American folk crafts. Created as part of the *Index of American Design*—a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 ...