Firemark 1935 - 1942

This drawing by Herman Bader renders an object called 'Firemark' in graphite on paper. Can you imagine Bader bending over the page, trying to capture the way light falls on the metallic surface? A crowned building emerges out of the dark lead, a classical facade in miniature! Bader's cross-hatching creates a range of tones, building volume and shadow. The precision of his lines reminds me of architectural renderings and technical drawings. I wonder if he was also working as a draughtsman? It's interesting how the drawing almost flattens the three-dimensional object, while at the same time, imbuing it with depth through careful shading. Painters throughout history have been in conversation, inspiring each other with their approaches to light, form, and representation. It makes me think about how art making is always an act of translation. Bader transforms a metal object into an image, reminding us that seeing and representing are acts of interpretation.