Leather Cartridge Case 1935 - 1942

Fred Hassebrock made this watercolor of a leather cartridge case. Note how the composition is dominated by the earthy tones of the leather, rendered with a remarkable attention to texture. The artist's careful use of light and shadow gives depth and dimension to this everyday object. Hassebrock’s approach to representation invites us to consider the interplay between function and form. Each pouch is meticulously detailed, emphasizing its material qualities and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. What we see here is a tension between the object's utilitarian purpose and its aesthetic presentation. The work destabilizes our conventional understanding of still life, it elevates the mundane to the level of art. Through his technique, Hassebrock underscores that even the most functional items can possess an inherent beauty. This watercolor, therefore, functions not just as a depiction but as a commentary on value and visibility in art.