Shaving Stand c. 1938

Charles Bowman created this watercolor and graphite drawing of a Shaving Stand. Bowman was born in 1855, and his detailed renderings of American decorative arts offer a glimpse into late 19th-century domestic life. The shaving stand speaks to the rituals of masculinity during this period. In a time when appearances signaled social standing, the act of shaving was about more than just grooming; it was about performing respectability. Consider how such objects reinforced the gendered expectations of the era, where a clean-shaven face was a sign of discipline and adherence to societal norms. The stand, with its polished wood and reflective mirror, presents a carefully constructed image of self. It invites us to reflect on the performative aspects of identity, the silent dialogues we have with ourselves, and the ways in which we choose to present ourselves to the world.