American "Bohemian" Glass Mug c. 1939

This watercolor of an American "Bohemian" Glass Mug was made by Frank M. Keane, an artist active in the early 20th century. Keane’s meticulous rendering of the glass, capturing its color and light, evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of craftsmanship and design. The term "Bohemian" applied to glass like this does not just denote its origin; it also speaks to a lifestyle. The etching on the mug reads "Suffering," perhaps a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of life’s hardships. But what kind of suffering? The suffering that results from the fight for social justice? From poverty? From love? At the time, the concept of the "bohemian" was often romanticized, signifying a rejection of bourgeois norms, but could also mask the economic realities and struggles of marginalized communities. This image, therefore, invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between personal expression, material culture, and social identity.