Brass Cream Skimmer c. 1940

Sydney Roberts’s “Brass Cream Skimmer” is a detailed, realistic depiction of a kitchen utensil from 1940. The artwork is a watercolor painting, likely executed from life, and demonstrates the artist’s interest in domestic objects. The skimmer, shown on a simple, off-white background, is painted in a muted palette of browns and yellows, suggesting the patina of aged brass. The artist's signature is subtly placed in the lower right corner of the composition. This work exemplifies Roberts' focus on the everyday details of domestic life, as found in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.