Pitcher c. 1939

Isadore Goldberg made this watercolor painting of a pitcher, sometime between 1955 and 1995. The simple design and form of the pitcher reflects a moment of nostalgia for rural life. During much of the 20th century, paintings and photographs of ordinary objects such as this became ways of preserving a sense of national identity. The image embodies the cultural values and traditions of the time, where handmade items were celebrated as symbols of self-reliance. The painting itself, as a medium, is a curious choice. By the mid-20th century it had been displaced by newer forms, such as photography. Goldberg's decision to return to it speaks to the ways artistic institutions value or devalue certain forms of expression at different moments. To fully understand this painting, we might look to the archives of craft and design institutions to learn more about the social conditions that shaped its creation. The meaning of this work changes depending on the contexts in which it is viewed.