Andiron (one of pair) c. 1936

This graphite rendering of an andiron comes to us from the hand of Mildred Ford, who lived a long life between 1855 and 1995. I like to think that the artist drew this andiron with great intention and care; a kind of portrait of a functional object. I imagine Ford carefully studying the geometry of the legs, the sturdy stance, the elegant twist connecting the body to the ring. It’s as if she’s tracing the object’s form with her eyes, feeling its weight and purpose. The graphite rendering gives the andiron a sense of depth and substance. You can almost feel the cool metal under your fingertips. The choice to include technical drawings alongside the main image is interesting. It reminds me of the way artists like Leonardo da Vinci combined art and engineering. Ford seems to be inviting us to appreciate the andiron not just as a beautiful object, but also as a feat of design and craftsmanship. It shows us that even the most functional objects can be a source of inspiration and contemplation.