Pitcher c. 1937

Max Soltmann painted this pitcher with watercolor and graphite on paper. Although the artwork date is unknown, Soltmann lived through a period of significant social change that began with the Industrial Revolution. The art world was also changing: a new generation of artists began to push against academic art and explored a more modern vision. The pitcher is an everyday object and does not obviously communicate themes relating to identity, gender, or race. Yet, the choice to depict this object reflects the emergence of Realism at the time. Realism sought to portray the lives and experiences of ordinary people and bring visibility to the working classes. Soltmann captured the simple beauty of a common household item. It is not a grand history painting or portrait of the elite, but it can remind us of the importance of the everyday. The artist prompts us to reflect on the objects that fill our lives and the stories they might tell about domesticity and daily life.