Shelf Clock c. 1938

This is Ferdinand Cartier’s ‘Shelf Clock’, rendered in watercolor and graphite. The initial visual impression is one of verticality and symmetry, with the clock's form structured into distinct, geometric sections. The warm hues of the wood grain contrast subtly against the off-white face, drawing the eye upward. Cartier's formal approach highlights the interplay of line and surface, which echoes the principles of formalism that began to influence art theory at the beginning of the 20th century. The clock is presented as a study in composition, where elements like the decorative inlay and the curvature of the clock face function within a rigorous aesthetic system. The meticulous detail in the rendering suggests an interest in the clock as an object of both utility and design. Note the symbolic relationship here, as Cartier's work invites us to contemplate how everyday objects can also be emblems of cultural values. Cartier prompts an ongoing discourse about the intersection of design, culture, and individual perception.