Grandfather's Clock c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Ernest A. Towers Jr.'s "Grandfather's Clock," made around 1936, using pen and ink on drawing paper. It's a peculiar piece. I'm struck by its fragmented nature—almost like a study sheet for a larger design. What historical narratives do you think it speaks to, or perhaps omits? Curator: That’s an insightful initial read. I immediately think about the socio-economic context of the 1930s. During the Great Depression, art often served as a form of documentation, either subtly or explicitly commenting on societal realities. It's not a direct portrayal of suffering, but it subtly evokes themes of domesticity and nostalgia during uncertain times. Editor: So, the careful rendering of a grandfather clock can represent stability in a period of disruption? The clock becomes a symbol. Curator: Precisely! The very act of documenting intricate designs suggests a concern for preserving cultural heritage in the face of adversity. Tower’s approach may also reflect broader trends within institutions toward historic preservation. Think about the public’s shifting values in those years – do you feel the geometric composition is connected? Editor: Well, given the architectural precision of the lines, and knowing "academic-art" style is one of its tags, this resonates a lot! The drawing highlights the aesthetic merit of functional objects. Almost like celebrating simple design. Curator: Exactly! And it might have originally functioned as a commercial drawing; we’ll probably never know. Thank you for pointing that out, I wouldn’t have spotted the importance of celebrating simplicity without that point on commerce and design! Editor: It makes me think of art’s everyday use in culture at the time! So fascinating, and with so much meaning implied in a sketch that would seem, at first, to be only that.