Butter Mold c. 1936

This is a watercolor of a butter mold by Michael Dadante, made sometime between 1855 and 1995. A humble, everyday object is made precious by the artist’s eye and hand. Butter molds like these evoke a very particular history. They bring to mind the labor of women in the domestic sphere. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, butter making was a common household task. The artistry demonstrated here elevates the mundane to something of beauty, something worth preserving. There's a tension here. While the mold speaks to traditional roles, the act of painting it transforms it into a different kind of object, one of contemplation and aesthetic appreciation. It invites us to consider the value we place on labor, on tradition, and on the objects that shape our daily lives. It’s a beautiful tribute to the unsung work that sustains us.