Andiron (one of pair) c. 1939

Hans Korsch’s drawing depicts an andiron, one of a pair, rendered with graphite and colored pencil. The approach is meticulous. There’s something so charming about this drawing because it’s not trying to be a painting, it’s a diagram! Look closely, and you can see that the artist carefully built up the brassy sheen of the andiron through a series of light, delicate strokes. The texture here is smooth, almost metallic, which contrasts with the soft, absorbent paper. I’m drawn to the base of the andiron, where the lines become more emphatic, grounding the ornate design. It’s as if Korsch is saying, "Yes, this is decorative, but it’s also functional; it has to stand up!” Thinking about other artists, I’m reminded of Agnes Martin, who also embraced a similar grid-like structure with a light touch. Both artists remind us that art can be about precision and looseness at the same time. It’s about process!