Pa. German Plate c. 1941

Curator: What a whimsical image! It looks like a page ripped from a fairytale, a blend of naivety and careful design. Editor: It does, doesn’t it? We’re looking at a piece titled "Pa. German Plate" made around 1941 using watercolor and colored pencil. The medium feels important here, amplifying the accessible, handmade qualities of the work, which blends drawing and painting styles. Curator: The colors are gentle, almost faded, yet somehow still bright. And that figure on horseback—slightly clumsy, but undeniably joyful. It really conjures this rustic sense of festivity. Editor: The piece resonates with themes of folk art and genre painting, deeply ingrained in Pennsylvania German artistic traditions. It serves as a window into a specific cultural expression, reflecting the community's values, symbols, and aesthetic preferences during that time. The man is brandishing some type of sword or other weaponry while upon a horse with a wooden saddle or stirrup. It feels as though the man is almost clownish with how carefree he looks. Curator: Absolutely. I also wonder about the integration of text along the rim, and the inclusion of botanical figures: I imagine this design served more than decorative purposes—it feels imbued with secret stories and cultural meanings. Editor: We should address the potential role this type of folk art may have played during times of conflict. Did maintaining tradition present ways of dealing with social-cultural alienation that was especially affecting specific racial and ethnic groups at this time? What purpose did art making play for minority populations who were experiencing widespread discrimination? Curator: Food for thought indeed. Editor: Yes, always. What a valuable contribution folk art makes. Curator: Indeed. And how important to recognize art's ability to address social issues.