Pewter Toy Porringer c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Fred Peterson’s “Pewter Toy Porringer,” dating from around 1936. It’s a graphite drawing that, well, looks like a technical illustration. I’m curious—what does a materialist perspective bring to a seemingly straightforward depiction of a common object? Curator: A materialist lens directs us to consider the ‘Pewter Toy Porringer’ not merely as an image, but as an object embedded within specific social and economic contexts. Think about it: why choose to represent this particular item, at this particular moment? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that. Curator: The drawing immortalizes an everyday object—a child's dish— elevating its status. Consider the material: pewter was a relatively inexpensive metal, widely used for tableware. So, this drawing highlights the cultural value placed on both the mass production of goods for children, and, the rise of consumer culture. Do you see a commentary on industrialization or class aspirations here? Editor: I suppose so! It is called a 'toy' and has a high level of finish which suggests this was intended to imitate and socialize children to 'high class' life. Curator: Exactly! Furthermore, the medium—graphite—replicates the shine of pewter, subtly blurring the lines between drawing and object, prompting a thought on artistic labor versus industrial manufacture. How might the act of meticulously rendering this mass-produced object reflect the artist's engagement with labor and value? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Looking at it now, it is more than just a simple drawing. I'm now curious to see if more of Peterson’s drawings reveal anything more of the means of artistic production. Curator: Precisely! Considering art as labor opens new doors of enquiry and gives these sketches much more relevance.