Spur c. 1936

Editor: So this drawing is called *Spur*, by Cornelius Christoffels, and it dates to around 1936. It's made with colored pencils. It's fascinating how such an everyday object can look both dangerous and beautifully crafted at the same time. What kind of symbolic weight do you see here? Curator: Immediately, I see a symbol of power and control, of course, particularly in relation to animals, but it also whispers of cultural heritage, particularly the American West. A spur isn’t just a tool; it’s an emblem, deeply entwined with notions of mastery and dominion. How does the medium – the coloured pencil – affect your perception? Editor: That’s interesting, because the coloured pencil gives it a delicate, almost scientific illustration feel. If it were painted or sculpted, it might feel more imposing. The drawing feels very intentional. Curator: Precisely. The deliberate detail highlights not just function, but also artistry. Consider the star-like shape of the rowel. In other visual vocabularies, a star might signify guidance or aspiration, yet here, shaped into a spur, it represents directed force. Does that alteration in context change its deeper meaning for you? Editor: Definitely. It reminds me how symbols always exist in relation to other things. The same shape can mean different, even opposite things. Thinking about cowboys and the Wild West… isn’t there a romantic aspect too? Curator: Yes, but what narratives do we then overlook? The romantic image masks labor and environmental impact. As an object, the spur echoes the psychology of control, not only in relation to horses but even more subtly over land and destiny. It also represents a certain ideal of rugged masculinity and a by-gone era. It represents more than simple Western grit. Editor: Wow, I hadn’t considered the implications beyond horsemanship. Thanks for opening up that new perspective. Curator: And thank you for your insightful observations. Examining everyday objects reveals just how potent their visual language is.