Police Club and Belt 1939

Herman O. Stroh made this 'Police Club and Belt' without a known date using what looks like watercolor, or maybe gouache. I imagine Stroh, hunched over his work, meticulously rendering each detail: the worn leather of the belt, the polished wood of the club, and the slightly frayed tassels. The colors are muted, almost somber, which gives the piece a melancholic feel. The belt and club rendered with such care! Maybe Stroh was thinking about the weight of authority, the burden of responsibility, or the quiet moments of reflection in a life dedicated to service. This drawing reminds me a little of the work of other artists like Fairfield Porter who also found beauty and meaning in everyday objects, elevating the mundane to the realm of art. These artists are in constant dialogue and exchange of ideas, inspiring creativity across time. This work reminds us that painting and drawing is a form of embodied expression, offering space for interpretation.