Turk's Head Baking Dish 1938

Editor: Here we have John B. Moll's "Turk's Head Baking Dish," made in 1938. It appears to be a rendering of the ceramic dish, probably in watercolor. The rusty reds and greens are quite striking. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It’s interesting how Moll uses watercolor, typically associated with fine art, to depict a utilitarian object. I'm particularly interested in the implied labor involved in creating both the ceramic dish itself, likely mass-produced, and Moll’s rendering of it. Do you see the tension there? Editor: I do. It's like elevating the everyday to art, but also pointing out the industrial process that creates these common items. How does the date play into this? Curator: Being made in 1938, the drawing gains another layer of complexity. The shadow of the Great Depression still lingered. Mass production was increasingly sophisticated but the individual artist – and artisan – was possibly facing displacement, re-evaluating their role. This drawing might be seen as Moll’s meditation on these changing economic realities. Editor: So, it’s not just a pretty picture of a baking dish; it’s a commentary on labor and industry? Curator: Precisely. The watercolor emphasizes the materiality of both the subject and the art itself. Consider the subtle variations in the color, almost mimicking the glazing process. This act connects fine art practice and the materiality of production. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about the social context baked into, literally and figuratively, such a simple object. I see the drawing not as a still life, but a depiction of material reality during a key point in our history. Thanks, that really helps me to appreciate the piece in a new way! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about the materials always opens up avenues to understand not just the art, but the circumstances that make it necessary.