Stoneware Pitcher 1936

Curator: Here we have a depiction of a stoneware pitcher, painted by S. Jerome Hoxie in 1936. The drawing emphasizes the vessel's robust, functional form. Editor: It evokes a strong sense of tradition, doesn't it? Almost a memory of a simpler time. The brown glaze seems worn, comforting somehow. Curator: These types of utilitarian objects were common in American households. Hoxie, like many artists during the Depression era, found value in everyday subjects, reflecting a broader interest in American material culture and the dignity of labor. Editor: Yes, it almost seems like an homage. What about the blue ornamentation? Curator: These embellishments were characteristic of certain regional pottery traditions. It elevates the functional. Stoneware's mass production highlights socio-economic themes around distribution of domestic items during the mid-1930s. Editor: It’s a fascinating tension, isn't it? This tension embodies questions of labor and gender at a very specific historical moment. We have this object, mass-produced, ostensibly available, though whether or not it truly *was* accessible is, of course, an open question. Curator: Indeed. This is a straightforward depiction, yet, these paintings documented pieces for museum collections and reflected growing appreciation for American design. Editor: Looking at this piece today, I can't help but consider its accessibility back then. Curator: These reflections can indeed challenge assumptions about the past and the values we project onto everyday objects. Editor: It becomes more than a mere object of utility. This artwork allows us to engage in broader considerations on production, utility, and access that continue to resonate now. Curator: It adds valuable context when assessing artworks like these. Editor: Definitely. The stoneware pitcher appears familiar yet stimulates questions about class, accessibility, gender and much more when looking at it today.