Suffolk Latch c. 1939

Regina Henderer, who lived between 1855 and 1995, made this watercolor of a “Suffolk Latch,” and it's all about the process. There's something deeply satisfying about the way Henderer captures the textures and colors of the metal. You can almost feel the rust, the coolness of the iron. Notice how the paint is applied in thin, transparent layers, allowing the white of the paper to peek through. It's like she's building up the image, one delicate wash at a time. The way she renders the handle, with its twisted form, suggests a connection to the hand, to the act of making and using. I'm drawn to the subtle variations in tone, the way the light catches on the edges, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality. I can't help but think of other artists, like Giorgio Morandi, who found endless fascination in the humble, everyday object. And like Morandi, Henderer reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.