Cabinet for Storage 1938

Editor: This is "Cabinet for Storage," a 1938 watercolor and colored pencil drawing by Bernard Krieger. I’m struck by how solid and present the cabinet feels despite being a drawing. The artist really captured the texture of the wood. What stands out to you? Curator: I see a fascinating blend of protection and display. Cabinets, historically, have served as guardians of precious objects and private documents. But the ornate carvings on this one suggest it’s not just about safekeeping. What kind of stories do you think this cabinet holds within? Editor: That's a great point! It does seem designed to impress. All those carved details must have some significance. Are there specific symbols or motifs that resonate with the culture of that time? Curator: The geometric shapes on the front panel—that central octagon in particular—suggest a desire for order and perhaps even cosmic harmony. Consider the medieval fascination with the number eight, often associated with rebirth and renewal. Then, notice how the dark, swirling carvings on the side hint at a more untamed, organic force. Does the contrast between these elements trigger any ideas for you? Editor: Hmm, maybe it’s about the tension between controlling our possessions and recognizing the wilder, more unpredictable aspects of life? Curator: Exactly! Perhaps the cabinet reflects a broader cultural impulse of its time, to balance tradition with modernity. The cabinet, rendered with such detail and care, invites us to think about what we choose to keep and what we leave behind. What have you taken away from examining Krieger's cabinet? Editor: I learned to look closer at the historical context embedded in something seemingly ordinary. It makes you realize objects are never just objects; they’re full of cultural meaning. Curator: Indeed. The image is an artifact of both what we see, and how we are compelled to interpret. It has made me consider the stories objects tell, beyond their function.