Cradle c. 1936

Curator: Alright, let's turn our attention to this quaint work. Louis Plogsted crafted this watercolor drawing, titled "Cradle," around 1936. It presents a delicate rendering of a decorated wooden cradle. Editor: First impressions? There’s an inherent sweetness, almost a gentle naivete, to the style. It feels very homespun, with that slight awkwardness that gives folk art so much of its charm. The light in here seems warm but still evokes a quiet nostalgia, like riffling through forgotten family photos. Curator: I see what you mean. It speaks to the American folk art tradition. Plogsted was active during the Works Progress Administration era, where artists were encouraged to document and preserve aspects of American material culture. Depictions like this helped validate the everyday artistic endeavors of ordinary citizens. Editor: So, this wasn't just a sweet depiction of a cradle, but also an act of preservation, claiming value in the simple things. I love how Plogsted has paid attention to the grain of the wood, giving it character as though each stripe tells stories. I am particularly charmed by those very cute naive motifs in the piece, simple, rustic scenes… like the cradle is narrating fairytales to the child who is soon lying inside! Curator: Precisely. The embellishments on the cradle point to both the maker's creativity, and what society, or community norms, value during a particular time, maybe flowers signify femininity or certain small details representing luck or health, contributing to an atmosphere of safety and tender nurture. These images may well speak to certain local traditions too, Editor: Exactly! You can almost feel the care that would have gone into selecting and painting those motifs. Though it's a humble subject, I think, by drawing our focus to it Plogsted almost elevates it into some form of sacred space, a microcosm where creativity is not just for 'artists' but woven right into the daily act of family life. Curator: Looking at this piece and what it signifies, I am reminded about the role museums have in shaping what narratives or aspects of history get shared to the world and remembered, this lovely drawing is an interesting testament to the social programs of the WPA. Editor: For me, this little drawing reminds us to value these small objects, to celebrate everyday beauty, or more important things like craftsmanship that surrounds us, and consider its silent stories, maybe with this drawing now I know how cradles could be special places of imagination and family traditions!