Jug c. 1938

Editor: This is Frank Fumagalli’s "Jug," created around 1938. It looks like a mixed-media drawing on earthenware. The jug appears weathered and well-used. What strikes me most is its simple, almost humble presence. What story does this object tell to you? Curator: The image offers an intimate glimpse into everyday life. Jugs like this were ubiquitous, integral parts of households and businesses, used for storing and transporting everything from water and milk to more illicit substances. Its very ordinariness speaks volumes about the material culture of the time, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, that’s a great point. I see the manufacturer’s mark – "Seymour & Co. Troy" – as a clue to its socio-economic context, can you elaborate on the manufacturer’s significance? Curator: Exactly. Manufacturers' marks can unlock an understanding of regional economies and trade networks. The jug wasn't just an object; it was a product of a specific time and place. Furthermore, I’m wondering about its audience, a time when photography had already taken over art as accurate representation, how does a drawing affect the meaning, and does the use of earthenware shift how the drawing should be contextualized. Editor: I never thought about it that way, that context completely changes my understanding! Curator: Indeed. Understanding its role means looking beyond the jug itself and considering the broader historical context. Think about how Fumagalli’s artistic choice – realism, even of the most mundane object – influences viewers. It serves almost as a monument. Editor: This conversation reframed the art for me. Now, when I look at it, I think less about the art, and more about the subject matter, as a historical and socio-economic artifact. Curator: Precisely. Objects such as this drawing are relics embedded within webs of meaning, offering profound insights into social and industrial realities.