Stove c. 1937

Harry Grossen made this drawing of a stove in an unknown year with graphite and watercolor on paper. You can see the graphite lines under the watercolor washes – that’s process right there, a building up and a covering over. It’s always about layering, both physically and metaphorically. Look at how Grossen renders the stove's surface. It's not just flat black; there are variations in tone, suggesting a play of light and shadow. The way he’s used the watercolor lets the paper peek through. There’s a transparency that keeps the image from being too heavy. It’s like he’s inviting us to see the bones of the structure. Think of other artists who explored the beauty in the mundane like Morandi, but Grossen's utilitarian subject matter and direct approach is all his own. Ultimately, art is a conversation, and Grossen’s stove has plenty to say.