Waistcoat c. 1937

Editor: Here we have Sara Garfinkel’s "Waistcoat" from around 1937, a delicate watercolor and drawing. I’m immediately struck by how it documents an everyday object, yet it feels so precious because it has this softness to it and a slightly faded appearance, like it’s an artifact. What story does it tell you? Curator: That’s a keen observation. For me, this "Waistcoat" invites questions about the social and cultural role of clothing, particularly in the 1930s. Given that Garfinkel created this during the Depression era, did rendering it in such detail elevate a garment—a symbol of personal presentation—into something more aspirational, even precious as you said? What would wearing this have meant socially at the time? Editor: I hadn’t considered the Depression-era context! So you’re thinking the detailed rendering serves a purpose beyond just documentation? Curator: Precisely! Artworks, especially those depicting domestic scenes or items, often reflected prevailing socio-economic conditions. How does Garfinkel’s choice of watercolor, a traditionally "feminine" medium, reinforce or challenge these ideas? Also, is it a portrait, or a proposal? What statement is the artist making, considering that this may be a waistcoat of a specific community. Is there a sense of national identity present? Editor: It's fascinating how it could be both, a proposal as well as an artwork in its own right, each playing with public image and possibly, national belonging! The medium’s delicacy certainly contrasts the potential austerity of the time too. It might represent more than just apparel but the values the society upheld or wanted to reclaim. Curator: Exactly! Garfinkel’s "Waistcoat," like much art, exists in conversation with its historical moment. Editor: I never would've picked up on these details on my own! Thinking about context adds layers to the way I perceive the garment and its artistic representation. Curator: And that is how social and cultural forces affect the arts, something to carry into our consideration of the public image and purpose of artwork.