Whiskey Bottle c. 1943

Loraine Makimson's 'Whiskey Bottle', of unknown date, delicately renders two glass bottles using watercolor. The pale blue wash gives form to these translucent objects, capturing a ghostly presence. The symmetry of the composition, with each bottle flanking the other, draws us into a comparative study of their subtle differences. The bottles aren’t just containers, they’re carriers of cultural meaning, suggesting stories of industry, consumption, and perhaps, social rituals. Makimson's use of transparency and form invites contemplation on what is seen versus what is implied, reflecting the semiotic interplay between an object and its cultural significance. The choice of watercolor adds another layer, the delicate wash mirroring the fragility of both the glass and the narratives these bottles hold. The ghostly rendering prompts us to consider the passage of time and the shifting contexts of everyday objects. This piece, through its formal qualities, becomes a meditation on memory, materiality, and meaning.