Shaving Mug 1935 - 1942

Curator: Before us, we have Frank Fumagalli's "Shaving Mug," created between 1935 and 1942, rendered with watercolor and drawing techniques. Editor: It’s like a miniature fortress of grooming, this little brown mug! There’s a solidity to it; almost as if Fumagalli found the monumentality in the everyday object. Curator: Precisely. Notice how the work elevates a humble domestic tool to the level of art. During this period, artists were turning towards realism, focusing on ordinary objects to reflect everyday life. What strikes you about Fumagalli's artistic process here? Editor: I'm intrigued by the textures he manages to evoke with watercolor! The slight sheen suggests the ceramic's glazed surface. Plus, the use of light and shadow gives the piece depth; it’s like I could reach out and touch it! But more than that, the act of elevating this unassuming object feels like an acknowledgement—a quiet dignity ascribed to labor, the routine, the ritual of a simple morning. Curator: Good observation, this elevates the daily rituals, reminding us of the broader cultural context of masculinity and self-care embedded in seemingly simple objects. Editor: Thinking about the era, you can’t help but imagine someone—maybe Fumagalli himself—preparing for the day during those uncertain years between the Depression and the War. Curator: Indeed, and this close observation gives insight into the material culture of the time and invites a wider understanding of that period. What remains for me, ultimately, is thinking of Fumagalli, the worker artist. Editor: For me, this watercoloured cup holds unexpected stories. It's now more than simply a shave, and rather more so a moment. A whisper of time marked by subtle artistry.