Pa. German Pie Dish c. 1937

William L. Antrim made this Pennsylvania German pie dish with watercolor and graphite, sometime in the 20th century. The image is deceptively simple, a humble pie dish bearing a folksy floral motif. But let's consider how this connects to a wider cultural context. The Pennsylvania Dutch, or Pennsylvania Germans, were a distinct cultural group, descended from immigrants who began arriving in the United States in the 17th century. They’re known for their agricultural communities and their traditional crafts. Dishes like this were central to their culture and to the construction of a shared ethnic identity. How does the image create meaning? Well, this image is an archive and an interpretation. By studying the image, and researching the history of the Pennsylvania Dutch people, we can better understand the social conditions that shaped the production and reception of this artwork. It's a reminder that art's meaning is always contingent on its social and institutional context.