Flatiron 1935 - 1942

Gwendolyn Jackson made this watercolor, titled Flatiron, sometime in the late 20th century. It depicts a seemingly mundane household object. But consider the labor associated with its use. Before the advent of electric irons, objects like this were heated on a stove, requiring care to avoid scorching clothes or burning the user. It was labor often performed by women. In the era this watercolor was made, the women's liberation movement challenged traditional gender roles. Was Jackson subtly commenting on the shifts in household labor and gender dynamics? It's not easy to say. Visual culture is tricky because one image can convey so many meanings and messages. Understanding such images requires careful examination of related historical sources. These might include written documents, artifacts, and oral histories that can help to unpack the social context of the artwork.