Doors c. 1936

Editor: This watercolor and graphite drawing, titled "Doors," created around 1936 by Alfred Koehn, features a detailed rendering of ornate wooden doors. I'm immediately drawn to the texture; it's like I can feel the carved details. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Look at how Koehn represents this ornamentation using watercolor, a medium traditionally associated with delicate landscapes. But here, the artist co-opts the watercolor to examine something hard and solid: carved wood. Consider the labor involved in producing such ornate doors, and then the labor of the artist carefully depicting them. What does this juxtaposition of labor tell us about artistic intent here? Editor: So you're suggesting it’s not just about the aesthetics of the doors but also about recognizing the craftsmanship behind them? Curator: Precisely. And consider when this piece was made, circa 1936. We have the Great Depression and the rise of mass production impacting attitudes towards craftsmanship. It invites us to question the value we place on handcrafted items versus mass-produced goods and consider where the true value lies – with the skilled labor of carving something like that ornamentation, or in its decorative appearance. Notice too, this is just a watercolor. It is not functional like real doors but an artistic commentary on functional doors. Editor: I see your point. It's a study of the process of making and its reflection. So, by using watercolor to depict such robust carvings, Koehn elevated the craftsmanship while quietly contrasting against the mass produced goods. Curator: Exactly. What appears at first glance to be merely a realist rendering becomes an exploration of material and labor. It really makes you think about what "craft" truly means, doesn't it? Editor: It certainly does! It shows how seemingly straightforward subjects can hold much deeper meaning when you consider their material context and history. Thank you!