Bottle c. 1936

Curator: This watercolor illustration from around 1936 is simply called "Bottle," created by Alfred Walbeck. What's your first impression? Editor: Well, besides the fact that it's just screaming out for some homemade lemonade, it also feels a little melancholic. That deep amber tone gives it a weight and seriousness you wouldn't expect from just a bottle. Curator: Interesting. It makes me think about the history embedded in everyday objects. The labor involved in glassblowing, the purpose of the bottle – was it for liquor during prohibition, perhaps? Watercolor was likely chosen as a medium because it allowed for detailed rendering in an efficient manner for commercial applications. Editor: Yes, I wonder who held it last, what they were feeling, and whether they found what they needed. It has such stillness, yet I sense a story trying to be told, perhaps. Curator: Note how the artist also included a separate, fainter line drawing, along with scaling measurements. This suggests it wasn't conceived as just a still life, but something perhaps meant to be reproduced, maybe in a catalog or advertisement. Editor: Ah, I see what you mean; it wasn’t art for art’s sake but had a utilitarian goal. That explains its straightforward composition. The almost scientific rendering supports this point further. It captures every imperfection, all the better to illustrate and sell the product. It’s odd, I suddenly like it much more knowing its intended purpose! Curator: Exactly! This work blurs the lines between functional illustration and art. And that watercolor, emulating the reflectivity of glass…it's quite skillful when viewed under this scope! It elevates the ordinary, doesn’t it? Editor: Absolutely. And there is something wonderful about appreciating everyday utilitarian items that bring people so much joy in life. Well, now, every time I see a glass bottle, I think of all it represents!