Hammered-Copper Bucket 1938

William Kieckhofel made this drawing of a hammered-copper bucket at an unknown date. I imagine him carefully building up the image of the bucket with tiny strokes of paint, capturing the variations in color and texture that bring the metal to life. What was he thinking as he worked? Maybe he was focused on the play of light on the copper’s surface or the contrast between the smooth handle and the hammered body. I can see the artist’s fascination with the intricate details—the scalloped edge, the dotted pattern, the way the handle loops and curls. The color palette he uses communicates the feeling of aged metal, a blend of browns, reds, and greens that evoke a sense of history and use. There’s a conversation happening here between Kieckhofel and other artists who have also found beauty in the everyday. This drawing invites us to slow down and appreciate the artistry in the objects that surround us.