Wall Bracket Candleholder c. 1938

Richard Barnett made this drawing of a wall bracket candleholder, we don't know when, and looking at the marks on the paper, I imagine he probably used watercolour. He’s taken a humble utilitarian object, something made for the simple purpose of holding a candle, and given it the gift of observation. I find myself wondering what was going through Barnett’s mind as he rendered this object. Maybe he was interested in shape, line, the geometric forms, or maybe he was just killing time one afternoon, quietly observing the world around him. See how he has created a sense of depth and volume with thin washes of pigment. Notice too the slight imperfections in the lines, the little wobbles and variations that give the drawing its charm. It's like he’s saying: “Hey, even the most ordinary things can be beautiful if you really look at them”. Whether he knew it or not, Barnett joined a chorus of artists across time who found endless inspiration in the mundane. And as viewers, we get to participate in this ongoing conversation, finding new meaning and beauty in the world around us, one brushstroke at a time.