Jug c. 1937

Editor: This watercolor and charcoal drawing, titled "Jug," was created by Yolande Delasser around 1937. I find the juxtaposition of these seemingly simple, domestic objects rendered with such care strangely compelling. How do you interpret this work, particularly within its historical context? Curator: It’s intriguing, isn’t it? These jugs, objects often associated with rural or domestic life, offer a glimpse into the values and aesthetics of the time. Delasser's choice to elevate these objects invites us to consider their cultural significance, especially regarding gendered labor and the representation of the "everyday" in art. What do you think about the contrast between the seemingly ordinary subject and the delicate, skilled technique? Editor: I see your point. Focusing on the mundane, while deploying such refined artistry, creates a sense of dignity, almost like honoring the common person. The Realist style combined with a touch of medieval influence gives a timeless feeling, like these vessels transcend a particular time. It becomes less about a jug and more about its symbolic function, I suppose. Curator: Precisely! The medieval elements bring notions of craftsmanship, lineage, and a romanticized past. Consider too how this might intersect with notions of national identity in the 1930s, particularly the valorization—or idealization—of rural traditions as a source of cultural pride during a period of intense social and economic change. The objects become symbols loaded with social and political meaning. Do you agree? Editor: I hadn’t thought about the connection to national identity, but that definitely adds another layer. It highlights the intersections of the personal, the artistic, and the political in this drawing. Curator: Indeed. It is interesting to consider these jugs within broader social and artistic discussions occurring during its creation, and how seemingly 'simple' subjects can reflect so much of their time. Thank you, these observations gave me cause for reconsideration as well.