Tobacco Box c. 1940

Editor: This is Paul Poffinbarger's "Tobacco Box," dating to around 1940. It's a drawing rendered in watercolor, depicting precisely that: a tobacco box with its lid set aside. I am fascinated by the precision with which he illustrates every small detail. What’s your take? Curator: I’m interested in the seemingly mundane subject matter elevated through the meticulousness of its rendering. The artist's labor is visible in the attention to detail; notice how the play of light on the wood is captured using the watercolor medium to mimic wood grain. How does this challenge conventional artistic hierarchies, blurring the lines between mere craftsmanship and fine art? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn’t considered that this detailed depiction questions the traditional value placed on different art forms, by investing intense effort into representing an everyday object. Curator: Precisely. This act of choosing something ordinary invites us to think about the societal importance placed upon it. Why a tobacco box? What might it have signified in the cultural landscape of 1940? Editor: Given that this piece was produced around 1940, when tobacco consumption was at its peak, is this artistic choice perhaps an ironic statement? Curator: That’s possible! It encourages us to consider what Poffinbarger is emphasizing here: is it the artistry, the culture around the object, or something else entirely? And perhaps the act of creating a "high art" drawing of such an object elevates tobacco itself as a signifier. Editor: Fascinating! Considering your insights, I now appreciate that the drawing, in its material execution and choice of subject, offers a lens onto the social context of its time. I'll definitely approach other artworks with a more materialist perspective moving forward. Curator: And I’m reminded that focusing on process opens avenues for interpreting everyday art objects.