Balance Scales c. 1940

This delicate watercolor of balance scales was made by William Kieckhofel, a man who lived a long life, from 1855 to 1995. He must have been in his prime when he painted this, perhaps taking a break from more physically taxing work to capture the intricate beauty of this object. I can imagine him carefully rendering each line, each curve, each subtle shift in tone to bring this humble, utilitarian object to life on paper. There's a calmness and stillness to this image, a sense of quiet contemplation. The scales themselves seem to be holding their breath, waiting for the moment of truth, of perfect equilibrium. Look at the patina on the metal, rendered in soft greys and browns, and the way the light catches the rims of the weighing pans. Kieckhofel's quiet observation and humble approach reminds me that beauty can be found in the everyday, in the things we often overlook.