Wetting Cup c. 1940

Editor: This is Alfred Goldstein's "Wetting Cup," made around 1940 with pencil on paper. I'm struck by how realistic and ordinary it seems, yet also sort of monumental, given the composition. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This drawing, simple as it may appear, actually says quite a bit about art's role during that period. In the 1940s, and particularly given world events, we see a lot of emphasis on representing everyday objects. Editor: Like a return to simple things in turbulent times? Curator: Exactly. Think about it. The war effort touched every aspect of life. Everyday objects, the tools and vessels of domestic life, became silent symbols of perseverance and continuity. Do you notice anything specific about the choice of a cup, of all objects? Editor: Well, the term "wetting cup" makes me think about babies, maybe? And growth? So, possibly even optimism for the future during wartime. Curator: Precisely. And Goldstein is working within a specific cultural and institutional context. He’s choosing to depict this, at this scale, knowing how images circulate, and how meaning is produced through those channels. It’s not just about representing an object; it’s about what that representation does. Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way, almost as a kind of propaganda through the mundane. So it becomes a symbol far greater than just a cup. Curator: It's a great example of how even seemingly simple still lifes can be powerfully charged cultural statements. Next time you see a seemingly ‘basic’ art piece, try thinking of how the object depicted connects to societal contexts of the time. Editor: That’s a fascinating point. It's a reminder to consider the artwork's participation in its broader cultural conversation.