Pa. German Plate
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 35.8 x 27.9 cm (14 1/8 x 11 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.3511
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Pa. German Plate*, captivating watercolor rendering by artist Albert Levone created around 1937. This work depicts a traditional Pennsylvania German ceramic plate, emblematic of the folk art traditions brought by German settlers to colonial America. Levone's precise depiction captures the vibrant colors, intricate motifs, and sgraffito techniques typical of these handmade objects, which often featured bold floral patterns, hearts, and birds symbolizing prosperity and community. As part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942—this ...
About the Artist
Albert Levone
Albert Levone was an American artist who contributed to the Index of American Design, the Works Progress Administration's landmark program to document the nation's decorative arts heritage through precise watercolor rendering. Active during the late 1930s and early 1940s, Levone focused his work on the material culture of the Pennsylvania German community, producing renderings of objects that incl...