Silver Spoon 1935 - 1942

Ludmilla Calderon made this drawing, Silver Spoon, using graphite on paper. The image presents a detailed study of a spoon, accompanied by smaller, less defined sketches. Looking at this work, one is struck by its focus on an everyday object. In many cultures, the silver spoon is a symbol of wealth and privilege, and its inclusion here encourages reflection on social class. The late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Calderon was working, saw significant social changes. Consider how the rise of industrialization impacted class structures and the ways artists engaged with these transformations. To understand this artwork further, research into the socio-economic context of Calderon's life and work would prove invaluable. What institutions played a part in her artistic formation? What was her relationship to wealth? How was she supported? These questions help us move beyond formal appreciation, towards an understanding of the artwork as embedded in social reality.