Attic Door Latch c. 1936

James M. Lawson, born in 1855, made this drawing of an attic door latch. Look at these clean lines, almost like an architectural blueprint, but way more intimate, right? It's as though Lawson isn't just showing us how the latch works, but also inviting us to imagine the hand that will hold it, the door it secures. I can imagine him sketching away in his studio, thinking about all the possible variations of a simple, functional object. Was he thinking about the history of latches, the evolution of design? Did he have a particular attic in mind, filled with forgotten treasures and dusty secrets? I'm drawn to the almost sculptural quality of the latch, the way the lines create a sense of depth and texture. It’s a reminder that even the most utilitarian objects can be beautiful, can have a life and energy of their own. Artists like Lawson remind me that everything is worth looking at closely, that there's beauty and intrigue to be found in the everyday. The drawing feels like an invitation to slow down, to appreciate the small details, to consider the human touch in every object we encounter.