The Pool 1935

Editor: This woodcut is "The Pool" by Ivan Bartlett, created in 1935. It shows a figure wading into a pool of water, surrounded by what looks like bamboo. I find it striking how the stark black and white contrasts create such a powerful image. What strikes you about this work? Curator: Immediately, I'm drawn to how this image complicates the traditional 'nymph at the spring' trope. Created during the Depression era, this work compels us to consider access and privilege. Who has access to leisure and nature, and under what circumstances? How does the artist utilize the starkness of the woodcut medium to comment on the social realities of the time? Notice the woman's strong stance, challenging the conventional passive portrayal of women. Editor: I hadn’t considered the socio-economic implications. I was mainly focused on the aesthetic. It's true, she looks pretty strong, confident even. Do you think her gaze plays into that reading as well? Curator: Absolutely! Her gaze is direct, confronting the viewer. It subverts the expected dynamic where the female figure is merely an object of observation. The deliberate stylization, bordering on caricature, also hints at a critique of societal expectations placed upon women and potentially a commentary on social constraints. This piece offers a sharp intersectional dialogue, blending gender, class, and artistic expression. Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I learned a lot about considering the broader historical context when looking at art. Thanks! Curator: And I, in turn, enjoyed our conversation unpacking the multiple layers embedded in this intriguing image!