Jar 1941

Editor: This is a watercolor drawing of a Jar, dated 1941, by Giacinto Capelli, depicting a stoneware vessel with an interesting naive painting on it. It seems like quite a simple subject matter but I am very drawn to the artwork! What are your impressions? Curator: Thanks. My first impression goes beyond its surface appeal. Consider that an artwork depicting a utilitarian object from the past provides insight into material culture and social practices related to gender and race during that time. It encourages reflection on domestic labor and the role that people of color likely played in its creation, use and disposal of these kinds of objects. Editor: So, the angel illustration would be secondary? What about the signature visible at the top and those painted on the ceramic vessel itself? What does this tell us? Curator: Not necessarily secondary, but situated within a broader socio-political context. The existence of these commercial markings provides a point of departure to deconstruct narratives of regional artistic production and explore the inequalities associated with capitalist commodity chains during and prior to that historical moment. What are the implications of this vessel in a domestic space? Editor: Interesting. I guess, looking at it through this lens, what might seem to be a benign image really opens up deeper questions about class and labor at the time. Curator: Exactly. We can consider how seemingly ordinary objects can serve as archives of inequality, reflecting hidden histories and suppressed voices from marginalized groups. Editor: I never would have thought to consider a jar this way! Thanks for expanding my view. Curator: And thank you, this reminds me of the value in engaging with historical perspectives to illuminate our current reality.