Iron and Trivet 1940

LeRoy Griffith rendered this iron and trivet with watercolor, a medium far removed from the everyday grit of a laundry room. But that’s exactly the point. Consider the physicality of these objects. The heft of the iron, the heat radiating from it. It’s hard work getting clothes crisp and wrinkle-free, especially before electricity. This is where the trivet comes in, a simple stand that kept the hot iron from scorching the table. Griffith’s choice of watercolor softens these realities. He celebrates the iron’s form, its pleasing geometry, the way the wooden handle fits snugly in the hand. The color palette, all warm browns and soft grays, evokes a sense of nostalgia. The artist reminds us that even the most mundane objects can possess a quiet beauty. It's a beauty born of labor, of repetitive actions, and of the constant need for care and maintenance. Griffith elevates these to their artistic form, urging us to see beyond their utilitarian purpose.