Andiron (Marching Hessian) 1935 - 1942

Cushman Parker made this watercolor, Andiron (Marching Hessian). Look at the color; it’s a family of browns, from a creamy tan to a deep chocolate. The way the tones shift and blend gives the figure a sense of age and depth. You can almost feel the texture of the cast iron it represents. My eye is drawn to the figure's face. Parker has given it such delicate, rosy tones. It's a striking contrast to the more uniform shades of his coat and hat. I love how Parker has embraced the imperfections, the wear and tear of the andiron, by emphasizing the rusty, mottled surface of the object. Thinking about other artists, I'm reminded of Joseph Stella's interest in American industrial subjects, though Parker brings a more intimate, folksy touch. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art is all about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.