Trivet c. 1939

Curator: Alright, let’s dive into this humble little heart. We're looking at "Trivet", a pencil drawing created around 1939 by Harry Grossen. What springs to mind for you? Editor: Well, first off, it's undeniably charming. It's so raw, the artist has managed to capture this lovely rough metal heart shape twice in pencil – I wouldn't have thought that was possible! It’s got a lovely utilitarian beauty, a working class Valentine, doesn't it? Curator: Utilitarian beauty, I like that! You see how he's rendered both a head-on view and a profile, almost like an instruction manual? It's elevated design in the everyday object. Editor: It’s fascinating how he’s used simple shapes to create depth and perspective. And that heart motif! A universal symbol of love and connection, reimagined as something practical, almost domestic. The trivet, as a symbol: what does that conjure? Curator: Warmth, hospitality…a gathering place in the kitchen, of course! Editor: Precisely. And think of the history of hearts – from ancient times, symbolizing emotion, courage, intellect, depending on the culture. To see it here, repurposed as a humble kitchen tool, suggests a beautiful intertwining of the profound and the mundane. It's a celebration of simple pleasures and perhaps a longing for that domestic safety. Curator: So, you’re thinking this speaks to some kind of yearning for connection, grounded in practicality. Editor: Exactly! Look at how the rough texture of the trivet contrasts against the stark paper background. The texture conveys weight and presence while the shape lightens this somewhat. The pencil strokes suggesting that sense of craft, and maybe… durability? As if this small piece also speaks to lasting values. Curator: Durability...I love that! It’s a quiet strength that just hits you. Editor: Yes, almost whispering stories about hearth and home. A tiny symbol with gigantic memories nested inside. Curator: Well, looking at it with you has deepened my appreciation for the tenderness found in unexpected places! Editor: For me as well! Now every trivet I encounter is definitely going to be seen in a completely new, thoughtful way.