Downspout c. 1939

Regina Henderer's Downspout, painted with what looks like watercolor, captures a fragment of architectural hardware. I imagine Henderer standing outside with her materials, focusing her attention on this small chunk of a building's anatomy. It's painted in one single color – is it blue? Is it green? I can imagine her squinting at it. The paint is applied in even strokes, building up density where the light recedes, and leaving lighter areas to suggest highlights. Look at the detail of the eagle and shield on the side. There’s also what looks like a star cut-out. I bet she took real pleasure in the exercise of carefully rendering each small detail. It reminds me that artists often find beauty and significance in the overlooked details of the everyday. By choosing this humble subject, Henderer invites us to see with new eyes. And like other artists, past and present, she offers a unique perspective, turning the ordinary into something worthy of contemplation.