Calking Chisel Used in Milwaukee Ship Yard 1940

Herman O. Stroh created this watercolor drawing of a calking chisel in 1940. The calking chisel, used in the Milwaukee Ship Yard, stands as a testament to the labor and industry that defined much of the 20th century. Stroh’s meticulous rendering transforms the utilitarian object into a subject worthy of contemplation. The tool speaks of the countless hands that wielded it, the ships it helped construct, and the lives that intersected with its purpose. Consider the cultural narrative of labor, particularly manual labor. How does this depiction of a simple tool elevate or challenge our perceptions of work and craftsmanship? The worn texture of the metal evokes a sense of time, use, and human effort, inviting us to reflect on the value and dignity of labor. The artist invites us to consider the intersection of art and industry, the individual and the collective.