Andiron (one of pair) c. 1940

This graphite drawing of an andiron, one of a pair, was made by Jacob Lipkin, who lived from 1855 to 1995. The palette is restrained, as the artist coaxes a range of grays from graphite. I can imagine him at work, tentatively sketching the subject. He is depicting an andiron, which stands near the hearth. The image has a stark, functional quality, emphasizing the object’s form and purpose. What was Jacob Lipkin thinking when he made it? Maybe he was interested in drawing functional objects, or simply liked the curves and geometry of the thing itself. Look at the curl at the top of the work and the way the feet elegantly support its mass. I find myself thinking about the relationship between art and utility, and about the choices artists make when they decide what to depict. Artists like Lipkin remind us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that even the simplest objects can inspire creativity and contemplation.