Balance Scales c. 1940

William Kieckhofel made this drawing of Balance Scales using watercolor. The marks are delicate, precise, almost like a technical drawing, but with a softness that betrays the artist's hand. Look at the way Kieckhofel renders the metal, how the light catches on the edges, suggesting a patina of age. It's not just about depicting an object; it's about capturing its essence, its history. The color palette is restrained, earthy tones that evoke a sense of nostalgia. See how the fine lines create a sense of depth, especially in the rendering of the scales themselves. The way the light dances across the surface hints at a quiet, contemplative mood. It reminds me a bit of some of Charles Demuth's precisionist watercolors, with their clean lines and focus on industrial forms. But there's something more personal here, a connection to the object that transcends mere representation. Art, after all, is about seeing the world anew, finding beauty in the mundane, and inviting others to do the same.