Jug
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 21.4 x 29.9 cm (8 7/16 x 11 3/4 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.7394
Art Historical Context
Alfred Parys's *Jug* (c. 1939) is a meticulous rendering of an everyday American artifact, captured through a vibrant mix of watercolor, graphite, colored pencil and gouache on paper Measuring 21.4 x 29.9 cm, this work exemplifies the precision and artistry employed to document utilitarian objects that embodied the nation's folk heritage. Parys, a skilled illustrator, brings the jug's form and subtle details to life, highlighting its cultural resonance as a symbol of American craftsmanship. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1...