Snuffer c. 1936

Hester Duany made this drawing of a snuffer – a tool used for putting out candles – sometime in the 20th century. It’s rendered in a light greyish-blue, like the after-image you see when you stare at a bright light for too long. I like how she’s drawn it twice, from two different perspectives. It makes me think about the way objects can hold multiple meanings, depending on how you look at them. I can imagine her turning the snuffer over and over in her hands, trying to capture every detail on paper. The snuffer looks like it’s hovering on the surface, not quite casting a shadow. Maybe this is a drawing about seeing, about the ways we look to the past to illuminate the present. Duany’s work invites us to consider the quiet beauty of everyday objects and to appreciate the process of observation and representation. It speaks to a sense of curiosity and exploration, inviting viewers to engage with the world in a thoughtful and imaginative way.