Spur c. 1941

Robert W.R. Taylor’s watercolor, "Spur," gives us a glimpse into the details of Western life. The colors are muted, almost as if seen through a sepia-toned lens, which gives it a quality of aged authenticity. What strikes me is the texture; the way Taylor renders the tooled leather. You can almost feel the intricate patterns pressed into the hide. The metal of the spur itself has a worn, slightly dulled sheen. I notice how each of the starburst points end in a perfect droplet, and each has its own drop shadow. The layering of detail suggests a fascination with craft and the culture of objects. It's like a portrait of a tool. This drawing reminds me of the precision of Albrecht Dürer’s botanical studies. Like Dürer, Taylor elevates an everyday object to something worthy of intense scrutiny. The image feels like a meditation on utility and beauty, prompting a deeper look into the stories objects can tell.