Candle Holder c. 1938

Eldon Allen made this work titled 'Candle Holder' without a specified date, using watercolor and graphite on paper. At first glance, the composition is dominated by a centrally placed, horizontal form of the candle holder, rendered in shades of brown against a muted background. This object appears isolated. The 'Candle Holder’ presents a play between representation and function, where the artist uses color and line to emphasize the object’s form. Allen’s decision to portray it in actual size disrupts our expectations. Semiotically, the candle holder, with its sharp point and functional curves, becomes a signifier divorced from its original use. In closing, consider how the precision in Allen's rendering invites a reconsideration of everyday objects. It is a work that challenges our understanding of utilitarian design and its potential for aesthetic contemplation.