Bar Latch c. 1936

Jack Staloff made this drawing of a "Bar Latch" with graphite and colored pencil sometime between 1875 and 1995. On its surface, the drawing is simply a representation of a utilitarian object, an example of how we control access. Yet we may also consider it as an implicit commentary on the role of institutions, those structures that are supposed to keep us safe. The artist made the image at a time of great anxiety about the power of such institutions. Made in the USA, we may read this work as a reflection on the cultural, social, and political changes of the late 20th century. The artist is interested in the way in which institutions, such as museums, galleries, and schools, shape the production and reception of art. As historians, it is our task to decode the meaning of artworks like this one, using a variety of resources to understand the social and institutional context in which they were created.