Andiron (One of Pair) c. 1953

Mildred Ford made this graphite drawing of an andiron, one of a pair, probably in the mid-20th century, and it’s a beautiful example of how process can reveal form. Look closely and you’ll see a sensitive build-up of tone. It’s not photorealistic, but it convinces you of the object’s weight and presence. I love the way the graphite is layered to suggest the texture of the metal, with the darkest shadows giving way to softer, lighter areas. The touch is so subtle that it seems to breathe. The metal block in the middle of the piece shows how the artist carefully built up tone to construct a 3D form. This reminds me of the work of Giorgio Morandi, who could find endless nuance and variation in everyday objects. In the end, art isn’t just about what you see, but how you see it, and Mildred Ford saw this andiron with extraordinary care.