Thin Cake Iron 1938

Harry Grossen made this watercolor on paper, “Thin Cake Iron”. I can only imagine Grossen in his studio, trying to wrestle with the representation of this strange object, trying to nail the light and shadow. It feels as though Grossen is in dialogue with a still life tradition, while also registering something new; I’m guessing he was thinking about vernacular objects and the visual language surrounding them. I love how he renders the metallic sheen of the iron, it's almost like he's conjuring the ghosts of meals past, the sizzle of batter hitting a hot surface, the sweet, comforting aroma filling the air. The texture in the etching of the iron adds depth and makes you want to reach out and touch it. It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, even humble household items can be beautiful and worthy of our attention.” Painters are always building on what came before, riffing on old ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can be. This piece embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations and meanings.