Chest c. 1939

This watercolor and graphite drawing shows a chest by Ferdinand Cartier, who was born in 1892. Chests like this were important pieces of furniture, used for storing valuable items. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. It was made at a time when traditional craft skills were being revived, sometimes in a nostalgic way. The drawing's emphasis on the handmade connects to broader themes of national identity and the value of craftsmanship. We can ask: how does this image comment on the social structures of its time? Is it self-consciously conservative or progressive? Does it critique the institutions of art? Understanding this artwork better involves delving into the history of design education and the Arts and Crafts movement. Researching period publications and design catalogs can reveal how this chest was presented and received in its own time, emphasizing the role of social and institutional context.