Baby Shoe 1935 - 1942

Gladys Cook painted this ‘Baby Shoe’ with watercolor and graphite on paper. Cook's choice of media invites a closer look at the material and the meticulousness of her artistry, offering insight into the cultural significance of handmade children's footwear. The delicacy of watercolor mirrors the fragility of early childhood, with the softness of the graphite lines reflecting the gentle touch of the artisan. The artwork celebrates the time-honored craft of shoemaking. Its emphasis on handcraftsmanship stands as a reminder of a pre-industrial era, before mass production overshadowed the work of individual makers. Here, the medium transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. By focusing on these materials, processes, and context, we gain a deeper appreciation for the value of handmade objects and the significance of craft traditions. It challenges the divide between art and craft, and invites us to appreciate the skill and artistry embedded in everyday objects.