Candle Snuffer, Trimmer & Tray c. 1937

Eugene Bartz made this drawing of candle snuffer, trimmer & tray, we don't know when, with graphite and watercolor. It's all in the details in this work. See the tools, laid out in a row? It makes me think about the quiet, everyday rituals of life long ago. Bartz’s marks are so precise, like he's mapping out every little thing. He’s so careful with the shading and tone. Look at how he captures the metal texture! You can almost feel it, right? I imagine him, bent over his paper, really studying these old tools. He’s looking really closely, thinking, "How can I get this down just right?" It's interesting to see someone pay so much attention to regular old objects. I can't help but imagine that he wasn't only portraying reality but also adding some of his own feelings and thoughts to the piece. That's what artists do, they mix what they see with what they feel.