Horse Collar and Hame c. 1941

Wilbur Rice rendered this horse collar and hame on paper with graphite and watercolour. It's the kind of image that makes you think about the quiet dedication of artmaking, the way a simple thing, beautifully observed, can open up a whole world. Look at how Rice uses light and shadow to give the collar its form, almost sculptural in its depth. The colours are muted, earthy, which feels so right for a piece of farm equipment. The graphite lines are so delicate, especially in the way they define the edges and inner curves of the collar. I love the way the surface feels so smooth, yet you can still sense the texture of the wood underneath. It’s like Rice is saying, “I see you, humble object, and I see your beauty.” This piece reminds me of some of the early American folk artists, these makers who found beauty in the everyday, reminding us that art is all about seeing.