ART FROM THE PAGES:THE 1940'S

These vintage cook books not only provide me with wonderful recipes, as seen throughout this blog, but they also provide raw materials for my artwork. Using books and booklets from the 1940's as my starting point, I have been working on oil and wax images that explore the role of women as cook, caregiver, and wartime worker.

...the history...

“ The ability to adjust oneself and one’s needs to an altered condition is a valuable asset…above all let us be cheerful about it.”

Irma Rombauer offered this advice in her 1943 edition of Joy of Cooking. At the time of its publication, this book found an audience in the midst of a world war that would claim over 400,000 American lives. Men were away fighting. Sugar, meat, butter, flour, and coffee were in short supply, and nearly everything had to be purchased not only with dollars but also using ration stamps. Rombauer’s book refers to the “…international obligations (that) would lead our land of plenty to ration cards…” and includes “…a number of emergency chapters added, written to meet the difficulties that beset the present –day cook.” Who was the cook to whom she was referring?

In the five years that began the decade of the 1940’s, the number of American women in the workforce increased from 12 – 18 million. These women left traditional jobs behind to assume places in manufacturing for the war effort. But who would cook dinner? Who would stand in line for rationed goods? Who would be standing in the kitchen with a warm pie when the “boys” came home?

Rosie the Riveter provided America with an image of this “ideal” woman – beautiful, strong, fearless, with a touch of lipstick – ready to step up for duty not only in the factory but in the kitchen. This image was brought to the American woman in the movie theatres, in women’s magazines, and through cookbooks. Health For Victory Meal Planning Guide was published to “ Help Food Fight for Freedom” through the Home Economics Institute by the Westinghouse Manufacturing Co.. On page 20 a beautiful young woman is shown at her lathe in the factory. Below her are instructions for How to Get a Jump on Meal Serving, practical tested suggestions to help double – duty housewives cut time from meal preparation.

In 1945, with the troops coming home from War, Dior announced a return to femininity. Heels were no longer limited to 1”. Skirts became flouncier, blouses blousier. Women were called to their kitchens, lured by the new, modern appliances that awaited them. The gas range was touted as “…a delight that never wanes…lovely to look at – a joy to work with…in the gleaming appliances…lies the secret to delicious meals for your family and extra, carefree hours of leisure for yourself!” What the Mystery Chef began with this statement in 1935 found its true audience 10 years later. Norge Refrigerators declared that with the “…modern kitchen as (her) throne room and a spoon in (her) hand as a scepter, (she) can be the queen in (her) own realm of food.” Convenience food promised freedom from drudgery. Jello products promised to provide new levels of creativity. “Mrs. Consumer” was reborn and women were safely back in the kitchen.