Vase 1939

Alfred H. Smith made this watercolor painting of a vase, date unknown. The painting depicts the front and back of a vase, likely an ancient Greek amphora or storage jar. The classical figure and geometric designs harken back to ancient Greece, a period that has repeatedly influenced Western art through revivals. Such revivals are always selective, focusing on the aesthetic values of the art while sidelining the cultural context from which they emerged. By the 19th century, the original function of the vase has been lost, but its striking visual appeal endures. Classical sculpture and pottery became models to be emulated in art academies, which further cemented its value and place in the Western canon. To understand this painting fully, we need to research not only the vase itself, but also the institutions and social structures that have shaped its reception. What was the function of the original vase? What were the social conditions in which it was produced? How have institutions like museums and art academies contributed to our understanding of its history?