Chalkware Deer c. 1939

Curator: Up next, we have “Chalkware Deer” rendered around 1939, employing both watercolor and drawing techniques, brought to life by the artist Milton Bevier. What strikes you initially about this piece? Editor: Immediately, the texture jumps out. It's not just a deer, but a depiction of a physical object, a statuette maybe? The washes are layered beautifully, mimicking the porous, aged look of the original object. It exudes a quaint charm. Curator: You're quite right. Chalkware figurines like this were very common in middle-class homes; often given as gifts, won at fairs, or even created as part of craft activities during the depression. The appeal of the object had a popular touch. Editor: The almost monotone palette supports that domestic sentiment. It speaks of modest means and a touch of rustic simplicity—perhaps a rebellion from or at least a quieter existence to the sleek modernity taking root in other sectors. Curator: That understated feel very much resonates with its cultural milieu. Such figurines often presented idealized versions of nature, a desire for calm and simple times amid social change. It could also be considered part of the market trend which was using idealized versions of American wildlife, as the population began understanding their impact on local nature. Editor: It is not overtly detailed or complex in terms of technique either. The appeal really does lie in its capturing the essence of a familiar, unpretentious object. Curator: True; the realism in Bevier’s style makes it all the more engaging. The illustration functions as a record, placing chalkware at the table for artistic conversation as well as domestic display. The object here transcends its decorative intent, signifying broader cultural trends during the time. Editor: Seeing how form follows function helps here; Bevier presents the deer not as an imposing representation of nature but instead something made within our culture. We gain understanding here of our relationship to visual reality. Curator: Precisely! Its quiet beauty offers insights into popular tastes and anxieties of its time. The charm in these watercolors lie in both form and function, bringing a very personal artistic interpretation to popular history.