Bitters Bottle c. 1939

Dorothy Brennan created this watercolor of a Bitters Bottle sometime in the 20th century. The bottle's design, reminiscent of a log cabin, and the words "1860 Plantation Bitters," evoke a romanticized, yet deeply troubling vision of the antebellum South. Brennan's painting invites us to consider the narratives we tell ourselves about history. Who does it serve when we package and sell nostalgia for a time built on exploitation? While Brennan herself did not create the original bottle, the choice to depict it speaks volumes. Was she drawn to its aesthetic qualities, or was she trying to make a statement about the way history is commodified and consumed? Perhaps she wanted the viewer to consider the bitter aftertaste of a past that continues to haunt us. The simple rendering of the bottle invites a sober reflection on the stories we choose to preserve and how we tell them.