Black Pitcher by Bernice Cross: History & Where It Hangs

Black Pitcher, in brief

Title: Black Pitcher
Artist: Bernice Cross (1912–1996)
Artist born in: Iowa City, United States
Date: 1944
Medium: Oil
Where to see it: The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., United States of America
Period: Modern
Subject: woman, umbrella, red umbrella, hat, plumage, portrait

What does Black Pitcher depict?

A Study in Contemplation

A young woman sits in a moment of quiet reflection, her features softened by diffused light. The composition centers on her face, framed by the saturated crimson of an umbrella that rises behind her like a sudden bloom of color. Earthy tones of terracotta, ochre, and cream define the palette, creating a warm atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the dark, shadowy blacks of her hat's plumage. The perspective remains at eye-level, establishing an immediate, intimate connection between the subject and the viewer.

Technique and Form

The work utilizes thick applications of oil paint to prioritize mood and light over photographic precision. The surface is textured and impressionistic, characterized by visible brushstrokes that suggest movement within the stillness. Rather than relying on sharp outlines, the artist employs organic, fluid shapes to build three-dimensionality.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Style: Impressionistic
Date: 1944
Visual Elements: Saturated red, earthy ochre, dark plumage

The Interior Landscape

The painting explores emotional interiority through a somber, reflective expression. While the subject is grounded in a recognizable human form, the execution leans toward a balance of realism and abstraction. The interplay of light and shadow across the woman's face enhances the depth of her features, turning a simple portrait into a study of psychological weight. It is a work of deceptive simplicity, where the weight of the subject's gaze carries more significance than the physical details of her surroundings.

Look for

woman umbrella red umbrella hat plumage portrait earthy tones

Colours

Mood

By the OriginalUniqueArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 22, 2026

Which museum holds Black Pitcher?

The Phillips Collection

Washington, D.C., United States of America

Origins and History of the Institution The Phillips Collection emerged from a personal desire to live alongside art. Founded by Duncan Phillips in 1921, the institution began when he transformed his family home into an art gallery. Located in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, this private, non-government institution was established to foster a direct connection between the viewer and the creative spirit.

The museum that holds it Official website

Also at The Phillips Collection

High-resolution images of Black Pitcher

Black Pitcher by Bernice Cross, 1944, oil, The Phillips Collection

Image

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Credit line

Bernice Cross, Black Pitcher (1944), The Phillips Collection.

Questions on Black Pitcher, answered

Where is "Black Pitcher" by Bernice Cross on display today?

You can see the original "Black Pitcher" at The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., United States of America.

In what year was "Black Pitcher" by Bernice Cross created?

"Black Pitcher" dates from 1944. The date places the work within Bernice Cross's career and its era.

What is "Black Pitcher" made with?

Bernice Cross used the oil technique for "Black Pitcher". The technique defines the material nature of the original work.

What is "Black Pitcher" about?

The subjects of "Black Pitcher" are woman, umbrella, red umbrella, hat, plumage, portrait, earthy tones.

Is "Black Pitcher" free of copyright?

Regarding copyright, "Black Pitcher" is still protected by copyright.

Which artist is "Black Pitcher" attributed to?

"Black Pitcher" was created by Bernice Cross. The information on this page describes Bernice Cross's original work.

How old was Bernice Cross when creating "Black Pitcher" in 1944?

Bernice Cross was 32 years old when creating "Black Pitcher" in 1944. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1912.

Is "Black Pitcher" by Bernice Cross in the public domain, and why?

The copyright status of "Black Pitcher" - still protected by copyright - follows from the artist's death in 1996.

Is "Black Pitcher" by Bernice Cross kept in the artist's home country?

No - the artwork is kept abroad. The birth country of Bernice Cross is United States, and the museum holding the original of "Black Pitcher" is in United States of America.

About the artist, Bernice Cross

1912–1996, United States

Bernice Cross

The Artistic Vision of Bernice Cross Bernice Cross was an American painter and artist born in Iowa City, United States. Throughout a professional career spanning five decades, she developed a style characterized by a sense of fantasy, humor, and a deceptive simplicity. Her work often balanced realism with abstraction, frequently employing a youthful, whimsical spirit that appeared childlike yet remained sophisticated in its composition and use of color. Her subject matter included genre paintings of circus people, characters from fairy tales, still lifes of flower arrangements, and portraits.

About Bernice Cross Notable works by Bernice Cross