Mirror Stand: Detail of Saucer c. 1938

This is Samuel O. Klein's watercolor and graphite rendering of a mirror stand. Klein, who lived from 1906 to 1991, created this "Detail of Saucer," which allows us to reflect on the historical context of design and craftsmanship. Consider the mirror, a loaded object, often associated with vanity and self-perception, particularly for women. Klein's delicate rendering prompts us to question the narratives embedded in decorative arts. What stories do these objects tell about beauty, identity, and the gaze? The mirror stand, adorned with classical motifs, speaks to the complex interplay between personal reflection and cultural ideals. The imagery might evoke different emotions, as it speaks to the intimate act of seeing oneself mirrored, but through the lens of classical ideals. This creates a tension between personal identity and the external, often gendered, expectations of beauty. Klein’s work invites us to consider the profound ways that art and design shape our understanding of ourselves.