Paper Clip c. 1936

Here is a drawing of grapes by Vincent Murphy, made with graphite and watercolor. This piece draws on long-standing European traditions of still life and decorative arts, and the imagery, depicting luscious bunches of grapes, refers to wealth, abundance, and celebration. Produced in the United States, this work engages with the visual language of classical antiquity that was often used to legitimize power and status. The artist reproduces this symbol in a time when American institutions such as museums and art schools were emulating European models to cultivate national identity and cultural authority. This drawing speaks to the American aspiration to create a parallel cultural prestige through the arts. To better understand this artwork, we might look at the historical context of American art institutions and their relationship to European traditions. Researching the artist's biography and the market for decorative arts at the time would also shed light on the work's place in a wider field of cultural production.