Watch Chain c. 1939

Curator: We’re looking at Frank Fumagalli’s "Watch Chain," created around 1939 using watercolor and drawing techniques. What strikes you first? Editor: It’s strangely… melancholy. A single watch chain adrift on this otherwise blank page. It evokes a sense of lost time, or maybe halted industry. Curator: That's interesting. Consider the precision of the drawing, the individual links meticulously rendered. It speaks to the labour involved in crafting such an object, and maybe Fumagalli’s skill as a maker himself. Editor: And perhaps a broader socio-economic commentary? The 1930s were, of course, marked by the Great Depression. A seemingly simple watch chain can become a potent symbol when placed within its historical context. The affordability of such an item… who had the privilege to wear this ornament in a time of scarcity? Curator: I see your point. There’s an inherent class dynamic suggested by the ownership of such a luxury item, depicted during a period of widespread economic hardship. However, perhaps we could also focus on the material artistry itself. Notice how the watercolor creates a subtle patina, mimicking the wear and handling that such a chain would undergo. Editor: That’s a very important aspect: these visual qualities and decisions would affect how this piece communicates meaning to different publics. Consider where it might have been displayed. Was it meant to be accessible or hidden away? It certainly feels as though it deserves wider visibility and public consideration for the social questions it raises. Curator: Indeed, thinking about its accessibility opens a window into understanding its purpose beyond mere aesthetics. Reflecting on this piece, I find myself appreciating how much it tells us about the skills that defined craftmanship at the time. Editor: And I am left thinking about what it means to portray objects like this. It is very clear that the choices and visibility can ignite critical reflection on socio-economic realities.