Cock Weather Vane c. 1939

This drawing of a Cock Weather Vane was made by Joseph Stonefield. The hatching and cross-hatching that describes the form of the rooster reminds me of technical drawings. The kind you might find in an old textbook, where the artist is trying to be descriptive rather than expressive. But of course, there's something very expressive about it. The texture of the metal is so beautifully rendered. Look how Stonefield suggests the way light hits the surface, catching the slight imperfections and irregularities of the metal. The rooster itself is an unusual subject, and the level of detail given to the mechanical parts suggests a playfulness. The way the rooster is perched on top of the structure makes me think of H.C. Westermann's sculptures. There's a similar interest in folk art and a deep appreciation for craft. Both artists transform everyday objects into something strange and wonderful. In the end, this piece invites us to appreciate the beauty and complexity that can be found in the most ordinary things.