Spur c. 1938

This drawing of a spur was made by Albert Pratt, though we don't know exactly when, and it's rendered with graphite and crayon on paper. It's interesting to look at the work here as process, a kind of loving study almost, because the spur itself is such a functional and robust object. The drawing is a study in textures, isn’t it? Look at the way Pratt captures the gleam of the metal, its cool surface almost palpable. There's a real sense of weight and presence. The spur's wheel, with its radiating points, is wonderfully done. You can almost hear the jingle-jangle of it in action. The drawing gives a clarity to the object; in its stillness it seems so full of latent energy. This piece reminds me of the work of Charles Sheeler, who also found beauty in the clean lines and forms of industrial objects. Pratt’s “Spur” invites us to consider the beauty in the everyday, the artistry embedded in even the most functional of objects.