Plow and Plowpoint c. 1937

William Hoffman made this watercolor drawing, Plow and Plowpoint, at some point in his long life. Hoffman’s got a delicate touch and a sharp eye, and the simple palette just sings. You can see the textures so clearly, the smooth wood grain, the rougher metal. It's interesting that the plow point is floating above the plow, almost like a ghost of the tool or a future possibility of it. I love the way the light catches on the edges, making them glow softly against the pale background. Check out the way he renders the shadow on the wooden beam – it’s not just a flat wash, but a subtle gradient that gives it depth. It reminds me a little bit of some of Charles Sheeler’s industrial scenes, but with a more intimate, homespun feel. It's a quiet meditation on labor, craft, and the beauty of simple tools.