Parasol c. 1938

Editor: So this watercolor drawing, "Parasol" by John Swientochowski, dates from around 1938. It’s simply… a parasol. I’m struck by how realistically he renders the textures, the delicate fabric and the wood. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: I immediately think about the parasol itself as a manufactured object. The labor and resources required to produce it during the late 1930s fascinate me. Consider the textile mills producing the fabric, the woodworkers crafting the handle, and the assembly-line processes involved. It's not just about the artist’s hand, but a confluence of industrial practices. Editor: That's interesting; I was focused on Swientochowski’s skill. How does thinking about production change the way we see it? Curator: By focusing on production, we shift the emphasis from individual genius to collective labor. The parasol wasn’t just made, it was *produced* within a specific economic and social framework. Look closely at the imperfections; they hint at the human element within this manufacturing. What kind of consumer would own a parasol like this? Editor: Maybe someone upper-middle class? It looks rather fancy. It feels different to consider the artwork as less about what it *is*, and more about how it was made, and for whom. Curator: Precisely! And we can even analyze the consumption aspect - its functionality within a certain social sphere. So the “who”, the “how”, and the “why” the piece existed really influences the art. Editor: That totally reframes my perspective on what is important about this image. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Keep digging into the how and why things are made; it will enrich your art historical view.