Trivet c. 1938

Philip Johnson created this drawing of a trivet. The seemingly mundane subject matter gains significance when we consider the historical context and gendered roles within the domestic sphere. During Johnson’s time, household objects like trivets were often associated with women's work and the home. This drawing prompts us to reflect on the division of labor and the societal expectations placed on women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The trivet, with its practical function and handcrafted appearance, embodies the values of efficiency and domesticity. Yet, Johnson's artistic rendering elevates this everyday object, inviting us to contemplate the intersection of art, gender, and the domestic sphere. The trivet is both a functional object and a symbol of the domestic landscape.