Cast Iron Baking Mold c. 1941

Curator: Ah, yes. This is "Cast Iron Baking Mold" by Luther D. Wenrich, circa 1941. It appears to be rendered in a combination of watercolour and possibly coloured pencil on toned paper. Editor: It has a wonderful aged feel about it, doesn't it? That toned paper really sings! I get this cozy kitchen feeling, like a grandma's secret recipe about to be pulled out. Curator: Fish are often used to signal abundance or, devotion in religious artwork, especially referencing early Christian symbolism. The artist, Wenrich, lived through the depression so, the fish as a food item might have been what he intended to highlight instead. Editor: It could even be about transformation. A fish going into the 'fire' of the oven and coming out… delicious? Okay, maybe my food metaphors are taking over. I’m just really appreciating the cross-hatching detail he's included; that layering gives the metal such dimensionality. It doesn't feel flat. Curator: Yes! Note how the scaly texture is so meticulously described; perhaps, suggesting reliability, domesticity, or even community through shared meals prepared with this tool. I’m interested in how these images are often encoded with aspirations—things we desire or perhaps, comforts from an uncertain era. Editor: Absolutely. The shadow work brings out all the intricacies in what could be an otherwise ordinary kitchen object, that elevated view forces you to notice something everyday with new eyes. The drawing, this isn’t just any baking mold; it’s a piece of history… waiting to be devoured… metaphorically! Curator: So, it’s a reminder that these mundane objects around us gain layers of meaning that accumulate over time through family tradition. Editor: So next time I’m struggling with perspective, I’m looking for fish molds! Thanks Luther for bringing some perspective. Curator: Well, looking at this image of a simple cooking implement can prompt a deep reflection on time, cultural memory, and how we find resonance in everyday objects.