Crock c. 1936

Editor: Here we have "Crock," a c. 1936 ink and watercolor drawing on paper by Charles Caseau. It feels almost like a technical illustration. The colors are subdued, the lines clean... What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent symbol of American domesticity, especially when considered within its historical context. The 1930s were a period of great social upheaval and economic hardship. This seemingly simple drawing of a crock, likely a common household item, speaks to a longing for stability and traditional values. How does the "D. Morgan N. York" inscription play into that for you? Editor: I hadn't really thought about that. Was D. Morgan a real manufacturer, then? And were they significant? Curator: Exactly! The branding anchors it to a specific time and place, connecting this artwork to the labor and industry of the era. This simple object transforms into a powerful statement about consumerism, regional identity, and perhaps even the artistic value of the everyday. Who benefited, and who was exploited in the creation of pieces such as this crock? Editor: That makes me think about the broader narrative of functional art versus high art too. Was Caseau elevating this commercial design or simply documenting it? Curator: Perhaps both. Art can expose the social underpinnings of even the simplest designs, opening our eyes to the systems of production and consumption that shape our lives. What do you think that this image says about the labor required to make and move and finally utilize this type of "Crock"? Editor: It's given me a lot to think about, beyond just the aesthetic qualities of the piece. Thank you! Curator: And you, for drawing me in. It underscores how objects hold within them complex stories, just waiting to be unearthed.