Candlestick c. 1938

Bernard Krieger created this drawing of a candlestick, sometime between 1855 and 1995. While seemingly simple, it reflects a moment when industrial design began to intersect with art. Candlesticks, once ornate and handcrafted, were becoming mass-produced, utilitarian objects. Krieger’s choice to depict this everyday item suggests an interest in the aesthetics of the common, and the beauty of functional design. The drawing, with its precise lines and attention to form, elevates the candlestick. Was Krieger commenting on the changing status of objects in an industrial age? Or was he reclaiming beauty in the face of mass production? To understand fully, one must look to the socio-economic context of Krieger's time, examining design movements and the shifting values placed on craft versus industry. Such research reveals the complex relationship between art, society, and the everyday objects we often overlook.