Log Cabin Flask c. 1941

Editor: This watercolor by David S. De Vault from around 1941, called "Log Cabin Flask," depicts exactly that. I'm curious, what aspects stand out to you, particularly given its almost architectural structure portrayed in such detail? Curator: Well, immediately, I think about the object itself and its relationship to American consumer culture and the symbolic meaning inherent in both log cabins and alcohol. Consider the materials used for the actual flask: glass molded to resemble a humble abode, then filled with bitters meant to be consumed. This watercolor rendering almost acts as a promotional document, a precursor to mass production and advertisement. Editor: So, you're saying the watercolor isn’t just a pretty picture; it’s linked to commercial manufacturing and its possible impact? Curator: Precisely! Look at the "1860 Plantation Bitters" inscription on the cabin's roof. This evokes a specific, romanticized narrative of American history, masking the exploitative labor practices of the plantation system. It links a medicinal substance with deeply problematic history, which is rendered visible when focusing on materiality. What happens when bitters go from local remedy to a nationally branded and distributed product? Editor: So it transforms the perception and impact, both medical and societal? It’s unsettling to consider that it encourages this narrative about labor! Curator: It does. And the choice of rendering it in watercolor is fascinating – usually a medium used for landscapes or portraits of prestige! It emphasizes the contradiction present between material and marketing in its era. What’s your read now? Editor: I'm definitely thinking differently now, less about it just being a quirky historical artifact, and more about how images play into shaping our understanding, or misunderstanding, of the past and the hidden labor implied by the existence of consumer goods. Thanks!