Silver Mug 1935 - 1942

Aaron Fastovsky rendered this silver mug on paper, though the date of its creation remains unknown. What’s compelling here is the choice of subject: a utilitarian object, elevated through careful representation. We might ask, what does it mean to depict such an item with such attention? In the Western art tradition, still life has long been a vehicle for exploring social values through the symbolism of everyday objects. The silver mug, with its suggestion of domestic life and perhaps even conviviality, invites us to consider the social rituals that shape our lives. Consider, too, that depictions of such objects can tell us much about the material culture of a particular time. Ultimately, art history prompts us to delve deeper, to consider the social and cultural contexts that imbue artworks with meaning, and to recognize the power of images to reflect and shape our world.