Pitcher (Individual Creamer) 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have Francis Law Durand's "Pitcher (Individual Creamer)" from between 1935 and 1942, rendered in watercolor and drawing. There's something really charming and old-fashioned about it. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Well, beyond the quaintness, I see an object deeply rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement. Think about its social context: a burgeoning middle class seeking handmade alternatives to mass-produced goods. How do you see this watercolor playing into that desire for "authenticity?" Editor: That's a great point! I guess I hadn't considered the artistic movements behind it. I was mostly thinking of grandma's china cabinet! But the Arts and Crafts angle makes so much sense. Does the medium – watercolor – also factor into that feeling of authenticity? Curator: Precisely! Watercolor, often associated with botanical illustrations and "leisure painting," connected the creation of the object back to nature and traditional skills. Notice also how the pitcher resembles a stylized tree trunk. Consider what embracing nature meant during rapid industrialization. Nostalgia, perhaps? A longing for an imagined, simpler past? Editor: Absolutely. Now that you point it out, I can see the tree trunk design more clearly! I think that's very thought-provoking, especially considering the social backdrop of that time. Curator: It's not just about pretty designs, but about the messages objects carry. Objects become vehicles for cultural values and social commentary. I hope it makes you think of artwork through the wider context. Editor: This was amazing, I will never look at creamers the same way. I'll have to think more about that "longing for the past" bit.