Dutch Bake Oven 1935 - 1942

Violet Hartenstein created this watercolor and graphite on paper, titled “Dutch Bake Oven.” Hartenstein, born in 1885, lived through a period of immense change in America, marked by industrialization and shifting social roles. Her artistic focus on domestic objects reflects a broader cultural narrative about gender and labor. These bake ovens were essential tools, and were also symbolic of women's work and domesticity. By depicting the oven in isolation, Hartenstein prompts us to consider its significance beyond its practical function. The rough texture and simple form of the oven are rendered with a careful attention, suggesting both the labor and the intimacy involved in traditional cooking. This artwork encourages us to consider the intersection of gender, labor, and domesticity, inviting us to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women in shaping our society.