Pie Plate c. 1936

This pie plate was made by Meyer Goldbaum, although the date is unknown, we can observe it through an intriguing colored pencil drawing. Notice how the artist meticulously renders the plate's form, exploring the material qualities of humble kitchenware. The pencil strokes work to evoke the plate’s materiality – its likely ceramic body, its weight, its functionality. The drawing captures the essence of everyday life. Goldbaum's focus on a common object prompts us to consider the social context of its creation. What does it mean to elevate a pie plate to the level of art? Is the artist commenting on the role of domesticity in shaping our lives? Or perhaps the act of baking pies as a symbol of comfort and tradition? By examining this drawing, we are invited to appreciate the beauty inherent in the ordinary and to reconsider the boundaries between art and craft.