Lamp c. 1936

This lamp, by John Fisk, renders its subject in watercolor, likely depicting a pressed glass oil lamp of the late 19th century. The choice of medium offers a fascinating contrast to the lamp itself. Oil lamps mass-produced from molded glass reflect the rise of industrial manufacturing and consumer culture. This was a period when ordinary people could afford decorative objects. The lamp's purple hue, achieved through additives in the molten glass, speaks to a desire for novelty and visual appeal. Fisk’s watercolor, by contrast, is handmade and unique. The choice to represent a mass-produced object through a traditional art form elevates the lamp, prompting us to consider its aesthetic qualities beyond its functional purpose. It reminds us that even everyday objects carry cultural and historical weight. By considering its making and context, we recognize the artistry inherent in both the lamp's design and Fisk’s interpretation.