Wooden Spoon c. 1938

This drawing of a wooden spoon, made by Henry Rasmusen, a Scandinavian-American folk artist, presents a simple object, but with a loving attention to detail. The rendering of the spoon is so precise, so committed. Look at the way the handle has been carved with floral motifs, how each petal and leaf is carefully delineated. This meticulousness speaks to the value placed on craft. The artist has used the wash to bring out the qualities of the material. See how the grain of the wood swirls, how the scooped part of the spoon curves gently, reflecting light and shadow. Rasmusen’s work reminds me of some drawings by Van Gogh, in that both share a common investment in the ordinary, and in the beauty of everyday life. There is a quiet celebration of handmade objects here, and of the care and skill involved in their making. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always have to shout. Sometimes, the most profound statements are whispered.