Petticoat Lamp c. 1937

Harry Grossen made this watercolor called "Petticoat Lamp." Grossen was born in 1855, placing him in a time when everyday objects held a different kind of cultural weight. The petticoat lamp wasn't just a source of light; it represented domestic life, the labor involved in maintaining a household, and the reliance on simple tools before electricity transformed daily routines. Looking at this painting now, the lamp seems almost quaint, but imagine it in the context of its time. It was essential, especially for women, who often depended on it for light while performing domestic tasks. This image makes me think about how much our relationship to labor and domestic space has changed. It's easy to overlook the narratives embedded in these older objects, but they reflect deep societal shifts. It’s a reminder of the emotional and personal stories entwined in the objects we use every day.