Memorial Money Bank

Art Historical Context

**Memorial Money Bank**, a meticulous rendering by artist Nicholas Amantea around 1940, captures the of an early 20th-century American folk art object—a small, novelty piggy bank measuring just 6 inches high and 4¾ inches wide and deep. as part of the Federal Art Project's Index of American Design (I), this watercolor, graphite and pen-and-ink drawing on paper (30.2 × 22.2 cm) the bank's intricate details, evoking patriotic or commemorative themes common in vernacular crafts of the era. The IAD, launched in 1935 under the Works Progress Administration, employed artists like Amantea to document everyday American objects—from quilts to tools—through vibrant, precise illustrations. This piece highlights the program's mission to celebrate the nation's design heritage amid the Great Depression, blending artistic skill with cultural archiving. Amantea's mixed-media technique masterfully conveys texture, color, and form, making the humble money bank a study in folk ingenuity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this work invites us to appreciate how ordinary items reflected community values, like thrift and remembrance, while showcasing the IAD's lasting contribution to American art history. A delightful glimpse into bygone craftsmanship!

About the Artist

Nicholas Amantea · 1900–1978

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...