Shoe Last 1938

Harvey Thoss made this drawing of a Shoe Last, sometime in the 20th century, and it’s fascinating! I love how this otherwise mundane object becomes a thing of great beauty and interest through mark making. Thoss’s delicate layering of colour gives a feeling of depth and tactility. See how the lines delineate the subtle curves and hollows, transforming the wooden form into something almost fleshy. The subtle shifts in tone suggest the play of light across the surface, giving it a kind of inner glow. The scratches and nicks on the form are lovingly rendered, giving it a feeling of history and use. I’m reminded of the work of Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in the quiet beauty of everyday objects. Like Morandi, Thoss invites us to slow down and really *see* the world around us. And isn’t that what art is all about?