Police Club and Belt 1939

Herman Stroh made this watercolor of a Police Club and Belt sometime around 1939. It's rendered with delicate washes of color, a real testament to the beauty of the medium. What I find particularly striking is the contrast between the weighty subject matter and the light touch of the artist. The police club and belt are symbols of authority, yet Stroh paints them with such care, almost like a still life. Look at the way the light catches on the leather, or how the tassels of the club cast delicate shadows. There's a quietness to this painting that really gets to me, a sense of stillness that belies the potential for action. For me it recalls the work of Charles Burchfield, another American artist who found beauty in everyday subjects. Ultimately, Stroh’s work reminds us that art can be found in the most unexpected places. It's a reminder to slow down and appreciate the subtle nuances of the world around us.