Drawer Pull c. 1936

Curator: I am immediately struck by how unassuming yet beautiful this watercolor drawing by Janet Riza is; it is simply titled, "Drawer Pull" and dates to about 1936. The artist uses shades of gold and cream that communicate warmth. Editor: Yes, the warm palette is quite striking. What draws me in is the precise rendering of the light; it seems the artist focused a lot on chiaroscuro, achieving a metallic sheen with only watercolor on paper. It's almost trompe-l'oeil, giving the impression that we are looking at actual, gilded hardware. Curator: That level of verisimilitude raises questions for me, what drove an artist at that time to dedicate so much time and effort to representing a humble drawer pull? The 1930s was a time of economic depression but also of re-examining what could be considered "American." Are we seeing the idealization of everyday objects here, suggesting new values associated with functional, mass-produced items in the context of nation building? Editor: You raise a fascinating point, and to consider this a matter of 'nation building' opens an interesting point of view on decorative arts. Though I lean towards an interest in how the formal properties construct our interpretation of these objects. Take, for instance, the arrangement: the frontal view and a side profile. These provide a sense of volume, but they also create a hierarchy; the drawer pull seems almost architectural. Curator: Agreed. These are objects from a specific class that could afford decorative furniture during the Depression era. But, let's delve into the aesthetic of accessibility versus the stark reality of the economic divide that characterized the period; these pulls represent functionality but simultaneously communicate an aspirational identity. Editor: Certainly. And in capturing them so realistically, Riza is allowing us, decades later, to pause and consider the design elements that went into even these small, functional items. This level of craft seems absent in our modern, utilitarian mass production. Curator: In conclusion, considering the historical backdrop, "Drawer Pull" asks viewers to confront themes of identity, social class, and aspirational culture during a critical juncture in American history. Editor: A thought-provoking insight into the social conditions and cultural values of that time; however, the watercolor itself also provides a way to re-evaluate design, craftsmanship and utility within a new, aesthetic dimension.