Fire Tongs, Shovel, and Jamb Hooks c. 1936

Hans Korsch rendered this drawing, “Fire Tongs, Shovel, and Jamb Hooks,” in pencil and watercolor. Korsch, who lived to be 100, straddled the 19th and 20th centuries, living through Germany's unification, both World Wars, and its division. As an artist, Korsch would have had to navigate the changing roles of art and design in a rapidly industrializing society. These tools, while functional, are also imbued with a sense of craftsmanship and aesthetic consideration. We can see the ornate details, the curves of the tongs, and the elegant shape of the shovel. Fireplaces have historically been associated with warmth, family, and the heart of the home. These tools speak to domesticity, suggesting a certain level of comfort and care. The absence of people in the drawing invites us to imagine who might use these objects and what their lives might be like. Korsch’s drawing elevates the ordinary, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in the everyday.