Fire Hose Reel c. 1938

Hans Mangelsdorf rendered this "Fire Hose Reel" with watercolor and graphite on paper. I find myself wondering about Hans and his connection to the object. Was he part of the fire service? Did he just admire its beauty and functionality? Just imagine the artist gently layering the washes of color, building up the form of the wheels, and suggesting the texture of the metal. There’s a delicacy to the line work, a precision that speaks to a deep understanding of the subject. Look at the way the light catches on the bell, the subtle shadows that define the spokes of the wheels. It’s an act of translation, taking something functional and rendering it with a painter's eye. It reminds me of the work of other artists who find beauty in the everyday, like Charles Sheeler's industrial landscapes. This piece reminds us that everything, even a fire hose reel, can be a source of inspiration and beauty if we take the time to really see it.