Economite Bowl or Cake Mold c. 1937

Editor: Up next we have a watercolour and earthenware image titled 'Economite Bowl or Cake Mold' created around 1937 by Edward White. There's something so simple yet grounding about it, a kind of old-world homeliness. What stands out to you? Curator: Oh, it's utterly charming, isn't it? The Regionalist style is so evocative. When I look at it, I’m instantly transported to a sun-drenched kitchen somewhere in rural America, filled with the scent of baking. And it’s so… tactile. Does that make sense? Like I can feel the cool smoothness of the earthenware in my hands. Editor: Absolutely. The earthy tones contribute to that grounded feeling, don't they? Was this 'Economite' design common at the time? Curator: Indeed. This bowl tells a silent story of the Great Depression. Economite suggests frugality, resourcefulness, a ‘make-do-and-mend’ spirit. Cake molds weren't just cake molds back then, were they? They were symbols of domestic resilience, small acts of joy carved out of hardship. Makes you wonder about the family meals prepared with it, doesn’t it? The hands that carefully layered ingredients, the laughter shared, and, of course, the simple goodness of something home-baked. Editor: Wow, I hadn't considered all of that. Suddenly this image is so much richer! Curator: Art has a funny way of doing that, doesn't it? Showing us hidden stories. Editor: Definitely changed how I look at watercolors! Curator: And hopefully opened a new door in your exploration of it!