Pa. German Flat-iron Holder 1937

Herman Bader’s drawing of a Pennsylvania German flat-iron holder is rendered with graphite on paper. The linear precision gives a sense of three-dimensionality, almost as if you could reach out and touch the cool metal. Look at the way Bader carefully shades the object to give it form. The subtle tonal gradations, from light to dark, create depth and volume, emphasizing the physicality and weight of the iron holder. I'm drawn to the little cherubic figure attached to the holder, adding a touch of whimsy. You can almost feel the artist's hand as he carefully delineates its curves. This piece reminds me a little of the work of Charles Sheeler. Both artists found beauty in everyday objects and elevated them through careful observation and precise rendering. In the end, it’s a meditation on the beauty of ordinary things.