Andiron (one of pair) c. 1938

This drawing of an andiron was made by Maurice Van Felix, sometime between 1855 and 1995. What strikes me about this piece is the artist's focus on line and tone, almost as if he were tracing a memory of the object. It's not just about representation; it feels like a process of thinking through the form. The drawing has a beautiful textural quality, rendered entirely in pencil. Van Felix has used cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and shadow, particularly around the base and the upright support. The contrast between the rough, almost scratchy lines and the smoothness of the paper gives the andiron a tactile presence, making it feel worn and used. The top, that funny little geometric knob, is so strange. Van Felix's focus on everyday objects reminds me a little bit of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, finding beauty and meaning in the mundane. The charm of this piece lies in its simplicity, revealing how much can be communicated through the simplest of means.