Miniature Tall Clock c. 1938

Isadore Goldberg rendered this "Miniature Tall Clock" in watercolor, likely in the United States. This image speaks to the American fascination with its own history and the desire to preserve traditional crafts. Tall clocks were once symbols of wealth and domestic stability. By the time this picture was made, they had become nostalgic emblems of a bygone era. Goldberg's choice of watercolor, a medium often associated with amateur or decorative art, further emphasizes the clock's status as a relic. It invites questions: was this clock mass-produced, or a bespoke item crafted by a master artisan? Was it acquired by a wealthy family? Delving into period catalogs and design publications could reveal the cultural significance attached to such objects. The historian's role is to uncover these layers of meaning, recognizing that art is never made in a vacuum, but is always shaped by the forces of society.