Mission Bench c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Edward Jewett's "Mission Bench," a watercolor drawing from around 1936. I’m struck by how simple and functional the design seems, but those curved details along the back give it an almost regal, imposing presence. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The simplicity you mention is key. It speaks to the Arts and Crafts movement, a reaction against industrial excess, embracing handmade quality and integrity. But you are right about the “regal” quality. Notice those castellated curves—like miniature battlements. This suggests not just simple design, but also permanence, rootedness, and perhaps even protection. Editor: Protection? That’s interesting. Could it be a symbol of sanctuary, even on such a small scale? Curator: Precisely. Benches are public. This implies a shared space, a gathering place under some form of higher authority – whether ecclesiastical or secular. Those finials at the corners? Think of them as stylized guardians, silent watchers over community and tradition. Editor: I hadn't considered the implications of the bench as a social space before. Curator: It’s about seeing beyond the object itself. Even something as mundane as a bench can be a potent carrier of cultural memory and symbolic weight. Ask yourself: where would such a bench have been placed, and what activities would have taken place there? Considering such objects encourages an exploration of our own beliefs. Editor: I see. Thanks for sharing that perspective. It really opens up new ways to appreciate this unassuming drawing. Curator: Indeed. It is about recognizing how commonplace items become intertwined with larger cultural narratives and our own sense of belonging.