Jug c. 1937

Frank Fumagalli made this artwork, "Jug," using watercolor and graphite on paper. Fumagalli was born in Switzerland but spent much of his career in the United States, which was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization during his lifetime. Here, Fumagalli places a seemingly simple jug next to an elaborate animal figure on a contrasting grey backdrop. This juxtaposition evokes an emotional and experiential response in the viewer, causing us to wonder about the relationship between the objects. The animal resembles an ancient Egyptian figure, which brings to mind themes of antiquity, power, and cultural exchange. The jug, by contrast, suggests utilitarian, domestic life. Fumagalli creates a dialogue between different cultural and historical contexts, inviting us to consider the intersection of the mundane and the exotic. Ultimately, “Jug” asks us to contemplate the stories objects can tell and how they shape our understanding of history and identity.