Iron Candlestick c. 1938

This simple drawing depicts an iron candlestick made by Joseph Papa. It shows a hand-wrought object, probably observed in real life. I can imagine the artist, pencil in hand, his gaze moving back and forth as he renders its form. You know, there's something so pure about this drawing. It's a record of observation but also a demonstration of how a simple object can contain so much history and meaning. The candlestick stands tall and proud in the middle of the page, its shape rendered with careful lines and shading. The symmetry of the candlestick with its looping base and twin candle holders, gives it a feeling of stillness. You can see the influence of folk art in the artist's careful rendering of the object's form and in the way he emphasizes its handmade quality. Papa created a drawing that captures not just the object itself, but also something of the spirit of its maker and the time in which it was created.