Doctor's Office 1938

Curator: Hyman Warsager’s print, “Doctor’s Office,” dating from 1938, is an intriguing piece executed in charcoal. What’s your first impression? Editor: Overwhelming! It's a visual cacophony—a nightmare version of a doctor's domain where the instruments of healing have morphed into menacing creatures. It's got a wonderfully unsettling aura, like a dark carnival for hypochondriacs. Curator: I think that visceral response speaks to Warsager's keen eye for social commentary during a time of immense change. Looking at the means of production, charcoal as a medium lends itself to creating these dense, contrasting textures, wouldn't you say? Note how it almost seems mass-produced in its appearance yet clearly depicts a handcrafted aesthetic. Editor: Absolutely. There’s something wonderfully DIY and unsettling about its materiality that gels perfectly with the content. You see those odd, almost anthropomorphic forms conjured up with smudged charcoal, and immediately think about what these kinds of doctor’s implements could possibly signify on a more personal level for the artist. I sense anxiety, maybe even fear. Curator: Fear is an apt reading. Warsager was very attuned to how materials and settings reflect and shape experiences. Consider the economic struggles prevalent during the late '30s; even seeing a doctor was probably an anxiety-inducing exercise rooted in consumption for most citizens. The stark contrast in this monochrome medium seems perfect for representing that kind of experience. Editor: That context completely resonates when viewing it! This isn't just some wacky still life; it is indeed a mirror reflecting anxieties about social status during a really precarious period. There's humor too, though dark humor! Curator: Definitely a tension between the aesthetic enjoyment of the composition and the social reality it embodies, like much art during the WPA era in the USA. A really thoughtful balance struck through readily available materials! Editor: Thanks, I am grateful to learn more! It's certainly made me think twice about doctor visits – then and now. Curator: Exactly! It’s also prompted some fascinating insights from my angle.