Fireplace Shovel c. 1942

Albert Geuppert made this drawing of a fireplace shovel on paper, and it feels like he approached it with a similar sensibility to using a painting medium. The shovel itself is shown with what looks like pencil or charcoal, and Geuppert has captured the object with the marks and imperfections that come with use. The shovel is a dull bronze or rusted brown with flecks of white and grey, and the handle is simple and long, topped off with a whimsical flourish of two hearts, or perhaps inverted question marks. The surface texture of the shovel head appears rough, maybe implying rust or wear, which contrasts with the sleekness of the handle. It makes you wonder about the life this tool has lived, the fires it has tended, and the stories it could tell. This drawing reminds me a bit of the work of Giorgio Morandi, who also elevated everyday objects through close observation and careful rendering. Both artists invite us to find beauty and meaning in the mundane. Like all good art, this simple drawing encourages us to look closer, to question, and to find our own interpretations.