Pa. German Dish
c. 1937
Frances Lichten created this charming watercolor study around 1937 to preserve the vibrant history of Pennsylvania German folk art. The image captures a decorative redware plate from 1786, featuring two stylized birds facing each other amidst tulips and leafy vines, all encircled by a ring of Fraktur script. Lichten was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, tasked with documenting American folk traditions before they disappeared. Her meticulous recordings serve as a colorful time capsule of 18th-century craftsmanship, showing us how everyday objects were transformed into personal works of art.
- Technique
- Watercolor
- Material
- Paper