Pa. German Butter Mold c. 1938

Charlotte Angus made this drawing of a Pa. German Butter Mold on paper sometime in the 20th century. The drawing has a kind of gentle quality, doesn’t it? The rendering of the butter mold feels soft, even though the object it depicts would have sharp edges. I love how Angus uses brown washes to model the form, giving it dimension and weight. Look closely, and you'll see the intricate details she captures – the ribbed edges, the leaf-like shapes, and the central pineapple motif. The brown ink is so fluid, like sepia-toned photographs. The drawing feels intimate, a quiet celebration of folk art and the everyday objects that bring beauty into our lives. It reminds me of the work of Charles Demuth, who also found inspiration in the vernacular forms of American culture. But where Demuth is crisp, Angus is cozy. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, even in the humble butter mold.