Cup - "State House, Hartford"

Art Historical Context

Behold the elegant "Cup - 'State House, Hartford a black-and-white photograph captured around 1936 by Helmut Hi. This crisp 8 x 10-inch image meticulously documents a modest yet charming ceramic cup, measuring just 3⅝ inches in diameter and2½ inches high. The cup's design proudly features the iconic Connecticut State House, a symbol of early American civic pride, rendered with fine detail that highlights its historical motifs and craftsmanship. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, this photograph preserves everyday American folk art. Launched in 1935, the IAD employed artists and photographers like Hiatt to record thousands of objects—from quilts to ceramics—through precise renderings and photos, fostering national appreciation for indigenous design traditions amid economic hardship. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art, this work underscores the cultural significance of commemorative wares like this cup, likely a 19th-century souvenir celebrating Hartford's architectural heritage. Hiatt's straightforward photographic technique, emphasizing texture and form, immortalizes these humble treasures, reminding us of America's rich decorative arts legacy.

About the Artist

Helmut Hiatt

Helmut Hiatt was an American photographer active in the mid-1930s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a monumental Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious New Deal initiative sought to document and celebrate the nation's folk arts and crafts through detailed renderings and photographs, capturing the essence of everyday Americ...