Pitcher 1937

Editor: This is "Pitcher", a watercolor and drawing created in 1937 by Wilford H. Shurtliff. The monochrome, brown rendering is very detailed and looks a lot like pottery. I'm curious to hear your take. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, immediately my eye is drawn to the depiction of what looks like corn, almost inlaid or engraved onto the surface of the pitcher. Given the date, 1937, and the medium, I can’t help but consider the socio-economic context of the Great Depression. How do you think this motif ties into a discussion about material needs, like sustenance, during that period? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about that! The imagery of corn, which definitely alludes to themes of sustenance and agriculture, feels intentional in its commentary on accessing necessities. It feels like a direct connection between craft and labor, maybe even celebrating rural craftsmanship and traditions at a difficult time. Curator: Exactly! Furthermore, the very *making* of art during the Depression has to be considered, doesn’t it? Materials were scarce; time maybe a little less so for some. A utilitarian object rendered beautifully… Was the pitcher itself intended for use, or is this piece solely representational? What kind of labour would be used for each? Editor: I wonder that, too. Focusing on those tangible connections definitely gives me a better understanding of the art and cultural impact of this period. Curator: Absolutely. When you consider the raw materials and manufacturing processes involved in producing art and everyday objects, and how accessible or inaccessible they are during certain periods in history, that changes the way you experience a work. Editor: This really opens my eyes to looking at art in a different, much more holistic way. Curator: It gives you an alternative route to finding meaning in the artwork. Seeing the piece as more than the outcome and viewing the method as something equally important.