Copper Measuring Cup c. 1938

Curator: Before us is "Copper Measuring Cup," a watercolor by Wilford H. Shurtliff, dating from around 1938. What's your initial read of the composition? Editor: The meticulous rendering is striking; a simple domestic object rendered with great care and attention. It possesses a sort of quiet dignity. Curator: Indeed. Shurtliff’s choice of medium invites a closer consideration. Watercolor, traditionally linked to preparatory sketches or studies, elevates a utilitarian object to a subject worthy of artistic exploration. Think about copper production and its use during the 1930s, its connection to industry and everyday life in homes... Editor: The material presence is undeniable, almost tactile, in the way light glances off its surfaces, describing the cylinder form, even the suggestion of wear. Curator: Precisely! Shurtliff focuses our attention on this ordinary object. It is worth asking, who was using this cup? What were they measuring, and what can it tell us about the socio-economic status or daily labor involved? Editor: The light is even. There is a flatness to the rendering; we are viewing it not just as an image, but an index, an impression on the paper itself. Almost reminiscent of photographic realism, or hyperrealism— Curator: I think what’s fascinating is how Shurtliff transformed it into something monumental, almost. What domestic labor, typically gendered, is made visible through art like this? What political meaning can we tease out from it, particularly during the economic turmoil of the late 1930s in the U.S.? Editor: For me it draws one in to its pure essence, its stillness, almost urging the viewer towards contemplation about what it IS as a tangible object and symbol thereof. I see it and feel that such formal expression does not need grand narrative beyond visual literacy—it resonates precisely as an aesthetic encounter. Curator: It pushes the definition of fine art versus applied arts. The artist is drawing our attention to the social significance and means of making behind these everyday utensils. Thank you for pointing this out and providing alternative insights through our quick discussion. Editor: A wonderful study, and enlightening exchange. Thanks to you for expanding this experience.