Drinking Mug c. 1938

Editor: This is "Drinking Mug" created around 1938 by Howell Rosenbaum, a lovely watercolor and drawing. It's so simple, just this one vessel, yet there's a strange sense of… ritual to it. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: I see echoes of ancient libation vessels. Consider the shape, almost like a horn, a symbol deeply rooted in history across many cultures. Think of the drinking horns of the Vikings or the ceremonial vessels used in ancient Greece. This cup carries that memory, doesn't it? It’s almost primal. Editor: Absolutely, I see the resemblance. Do you think that was Rosenbaum's intention, or are we projecting that symbolism onto it? Curator: I suspect Rosenbaum was conscious of the form’s deep resonance. The artist even emphasized the vertical strokes, making it appear like raw, natural material—as if it was still connected to something wild. Consider the browns, creams, and even muted blues within the drawing; they create movement and suggest something organic being captured. It almost feels totemic, connecting the drinker to nature, and heritage. Editor: That's really insightful. The use of color does feel intentional. So, the humble drinking mug is loaded with all this… history? Curator: Indeed. Every object holds cultural memory, but Rosenbaum seems particularly attuned to the symbolism of this very elemental shape, bridging everyday life and a more profound ancestral connection. Editor: I never would have considered so much from such a simple form! Thank you for sharing your perspective. Curator: My pleasure! It is in considering this relationship of our memory of forms where meaning and depth emerge.