Newel stairs 

Karl Ballenberger's "Newel Stairs" at the Städel Museum is rendered in delicate watercolor on paper. These are traditional fine art materials, but the subject matter is far from elevated. Ballenberger captures the understated beauty of functional architecture. Notice how the material qualities of the stone steps – their weight, texture, and subtle coloring – are conveyed through the wash of the paint. The artist meticulously evokes the way these stairs were likely constructed, stone upon stone, with each step carefully chiseled and placed. This kind of stonework is immensely labor intensive, a testament to the skilled craftsmanship required to create even the most utilitarian structures. By focusing on the material and process behind this everyday architectural feature, Ballenberger elevates the status of craft and labor. It reminds us that even the most functional objects are the result of human ingenuity and skill. Through the artist’s eye, the newel stairs become a monument to the artistry inherent in the act of building.