Bell c. 1937

This drawing of a bell was made by Edna C. Rex, an artist who lived an unusually long life, from the mid-19th well into the late 20th century. This detailed rendering invites us to consider the bell as more than just an object. What does a bell signify? Often, it’s a call to attention, a signal for assembly, or a symbol of authority. Think of school bells, church bells, or even the bell that might have summoned servants in a bygone era. Given Rex's life, how did her experiences shape her choice to depict such an object? Was she interested in exploring themes of communication, power, or tradition? Or was this simply an exercise in form and detail? Perhaps the quiet stillness of the drawing suggests a moment of reflection, a pause in the ringing that allows us to consider the echoes of history and personal experience.