Cupboard c. 1938

Virginia Kennady rendered this ‘Cupboard’ with watercolor and graphite on paper. It depicts a handcrafted object, likely constructed from cherry wood, a timber favored for its rich color and durability. The cupboard’s design speaks to a history of skilled woodworking. The flat panels and turned knobs reflect the maker's familiarity with tools like saws, planes, and lathes. The glass-fronted upper section, with its geometric glazing bars, suggests an awareness of fashionable design. The original object was probably made by a cabinetmaker. The labor involved in crafting such a piece by hand would have been considerable. Kennady's rendering of the object highlights the way its design would have brought ideas of industry and craft into domestic life, a nexus point of production and consumption. Appreciating the making of this cupboard allows us to reconsider historical divisions between art and craft, and the value we place on handmade objects.