Mirror Frame 1935 - 1942

Curator: Looking at this "Mirror Frame" from the late 1930s or early 40s by David S. De Vault, I am immediately struck by how incredibly restrained yet ornate it appears. It's like holding your breath, isn’t it? What’s your first take? Editor: Austere elegance comes to mind. The colour palette is very subdued,almost sepia-toned. But that golden eagle perched on top—it adds a note of very intentional stateliness, bordering on nationalist symbolism. Was this artwork, or the aspiration behind it, somehow connected to the political sentiments of its time? Curator: Possibly. De Vault's intimacy with the design suggests a reflective, personal endeavor, though that period was deeply political, inevitably finding expression in art. To me, it’s also about the tension between crafted embellishment—notice the gilded trim—and raw, unadorned space. Editor: Yes, absolutely, and the blank space within the frame seems deliberate, maybe a void where identity gets projected or reflected, literally and figuratively. This invites questions about class, gender, and who traditionally had access to such domestic adornments. Was it meant for everyone to see themselves, or a privileged few? Curator: Intriguing. I had focused on the interplay between the artistic creation and the viewer. This reminds me of Virginia Woolf's notion of a room of one's own, a material reality intertwined with a quest for the inner self. The eagle almost feels protective over that reflected self. Editor: I read the eagle through a slightly different lens, seeing it as a symbol of power that also casts a shadow on who is granted the privilege of self-reflection. Who are the historical gatekeepers of such spaces? But I can’t deny it has a haunting presence—inviting multiple layers of inquiry. Curator: And I think this points towards its enduring appeal – it’s so intimate, yet so open to interpretation and so loaded with meaning, inviting viewers to step into that frame of questioning, time, and self. Thank you for the insight. Editor: It's been a fruitful exchange, offering just a few perspectives of many; context always makes art richer and relevant!