Pitcher c. 1939

Editor: Here we have "Pitcher", a ceramic piece from around 1939 by Giacinto Capelli, rendered in watercolor and drawing. It’s got this quaint, almost folksy feel. What are your thoughts on this piece? Curator: Well, beyond its aesthetic charm, let’s consider the context. This piece was created during the lead-up to the Second World War. The artist likely made a conscious choice of medium; watercolor paintings are reproducible, unlike one-of-a-kind ceramic work. Considering this historical moment, is there a socio-political meaning? How can we read this unassuming artwork differently when seen through the lens of social history? Editor: I hadn’t considered it in light of the impending war! Curator: It speaks to the power of art, even something as seemingly simple as a pitcher, to reflect broader societal forces. Why depict an object so common, so close to every day life? Editor: Maybe its commonness offered some comfort or familiarity amidst uncertainty? Curator: Exactly. Think about the institutions and the collectors who would champion and consume such imagery, and why. Also, do you see any hints about the role and significance of craft, and local production in this context? Editor: I suppose it hints at the dignity of labor. It's certainly made me rethink how much an image can reveal! Curator: And, perhaps, the choices behind its creation. Seeing it as just a pitcher would have been missing the picture entirely!