Cooking Kettle 1939

Thomas Dooley created this artwork, Cooking Kettle, sometime in 1939. It is an object study with a focus on form, materiality, and how everyday objects are constructed. The kettle is presented in a straightforward, almost clinical manner. The circular and cylindrical forms dominate, rendered in muted, earthy tones that evoke the kettle's metallic texture. Notice the subtle gradations of color across the surface which hints at the dents and wear of the object. The precise rendering of the kettle's shape and the modulation of light across its surfaces are evidence of Dooley's formalist technique. This close attention to the object's structure could be interpreted through the lens of structuralism. The cooking kettle is isolated, encouraging us to consider its intrinsic properties and its function. This elevates it from a mere utilitarian item to an object of contemplation. The kettle, therefore, becomes a sign, pointing to broader themes of domesticity and labor.