Spanleest van hout c. 1930 - 1960

A. van Goethem crafted this wooden shoe stretcher, of modest dimensions, sometime in the past. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the smooth, polished surface of the wood, a testament to the craftsman's attention to detail. Structurally, the piece is divided into two distinct parts, each mirroring the other, yet separate in their function. We might read the form as a study in dyads, reflecting on binaries of tension and release. The metal ring at the end introduces a contrasting element, a hard, industrial touch against the soft organic form of the wood. This juxtaposition raises questions about the relationship between the hand-crafted and the mass-produced, or nature and culture. Ultimately, the formal qualities of this shoe stretcher—its materiality, symmetry, and contrasting elements—invite us to reflect on the nature of objects, craftsmanship, and the subtle ways they engage with broader cultural themes. The art lies not just in its utility but in the complex interplay of form and idea.