Flat Iron Stand 1941

Carl Buergerniss created this drawing of a Flat Iron Stand with graphite and watercolour, rendering it as a study in contrasts between form and function. The drawing, while representational, transcends mere depiction. Note how the stand's structure—an interplay of straight lines and curves—creates a delicate tension. The industrial object is transformed into an almost decorative motif, with the negative spaces within the stand contributing as much to the composition as the metal itself. The artist uses watercolour to give depth to the metal which appears both solid and fragile. Buergerniss’s choice to isolate this object encourages us to reconsider our relationship with everyday items. What do we make of an object designed for heat, rendered coolly on paper? The meticulous detail invites us to look beyond the intended use and instead consider the object’s aesthetic qualities and how it embodies form.