Bennington Pitcher c. 1937

Howard H. Sherman made this watercolor and graphite rendition of a Bennington Pitcher, but the date of the artwork is unknown. It depicts a green pitcher adorned with a motif of corn stalks. The choice of corn is no accident; agricultural imagery was deeply interwoven with the cultural and economic fabric of rural America. The green color symbolizes growth, nature, and prosperity, values upheld by the farming communities and those who had the means to obtain such homewares. The pitcher itself, as a functional object, reflects the values of utility and self-sufficiency, especially for people in rural communities. To truly understand an artwork like this, we must consider the social conditions in which it was made. Researching the history of American agriculture, the development of its institutions, and the values associated with rural life helps us understand its importance in the social context of its time.