Pitcher 1935 - 1942

Charles Caseau made this drawing of a pitcher, using graphite on paper. Although seemingly a simple still life, the choice of subject matter and its mode of representation reflect Caseau’s institutional position. As an artist working for the Index of American Design, a division of the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s and 40s, Caseau was tasked with documenting vernacular objects that spoke to the material culture of the United States. Pitchers like these were common household objects, mass-produced and sold across the country. By creating precise, almost photographic renderings, Caseau and his colleagues elevated these everyday items, turning them into symbols of American ingenuity and democratic values. Understanding this artwork, therefore, requires us to look beyond its formal qualities. We must research the history of the WPA and the Index of American Design, examining how these government programs shaped the artistic landscape and promoted a particular vision of national identity during the Great Depression.