ABOUT THE WORK

Joseph Cornell’s Drawer artwork exemplifies his ability to blend the humanities, science, and imagination. Throughout his career, Cornell created narrative dioramas that incorporated found objects such as photographs, maps, shells, bottles, and other small trinkets. Each box evokes fragments of memories or stories, inviting the viewer to embark on an imaginative journey through Cornell’s artistic narrative.

In this particular piece, Cornell employs sand, shells, driftwood particles, silver beads, and maps to suggest a coastal voyage or evoke a summer memory. Inside the drawer, a map of constellations frames the imaginary scene, reflecting his fascination with science and the Age of Discovery. The map, adorned with astrological symbols, bridges the realms of science and astrology. Constellations held profound significance for Cornell; they connected to ancient mythology and showcased the power of human imagination to impose order on chaos. The term "constellation" was particularly meaningful to him as he sought patterns in his experiences, feelings, and works. The map, both literally and figuratively, illustrates how the vastness of the cosmos can ignite the imagination.

The piece is further framed by a Latin map of the Mediterranean region, complete with latitude and longitude lines and numerical descriptions of the Earth’s positioning. This map guides the viewer to the shores of the Mediterranean, mapping a course through constellations and imagination. The shifting sands and maps within the box evoke images of the ocean and maritime travel. Additionally, Cornell includes a photograph of a Renaissance child painting on the back of the drawer. The child’s presence, surrounded by maps, hints at an imagined voyage through the Mediterranean Sea or a journey through one's own child-like imagination.

A possible fragment of another Cornell work, this drawer exemplifies his artistry in exploring worlds beyond and capturing fantasies within his glass-fronted shadow boxes.