Coffee Roaster c. 1939

Curator: Here we have Claude Marshall's "Coffee Roaster," created around 1939 using pencil and watercolor. Editor: The piece has a humble, almost melancholic mood. The solitary coffee roaster is centered against the blank background, giving it a sense of isolation. Curator: Precisely. Consider the historical context. This was a time of immense upheaval—the tail end of the Great Depression, on the cusp of World War II. An object like a coffee roaster becomes less about mere production and more about the rituals of everyday life amidst societal uncertainty, reflecting a focus on domesticity. Editor: It's interesting to think about what that says about labor, too. The manual operation—the hand crank—speaks to a connection with process. It highlights the slow, deliberate act of preparation that is inherently different from our automated processes of today. What statement does this suggest in terms of his artistic intention? Curator: Absolutely. The materiality is fascinating too. Notice how Marshall depicts the textures of metal and wood. The wear and tear are rendered meticulously, imbuing the object with a sense of history. It asks us to contemplate how such simple processes connect to class dynamics and shifts within labor. The worn texture represents human intervention, which tells a story about value—the social value of this everyday activity. Editor: True, and by rendering it in such detail, almost elevating this modest object, I am thinking of its historical value; this drawing becomes a type of record-keeping of antiquated machines. The craft lies in translating an object from real life using these materials: pencil and watercolor. The medium's own production becomes an active player here. Curator: Indeed, examining how this object intertwines with its historical moment and connects to larger discussions about the nature of work helps unlock new layers of meaning. Thank you for emphasizing materiality so thoughtfully. Editor: And thank you for highlighting the intersections of identity and cultural production connected to this work!