Fireplace Waffle Iron c. 1939

This watercolour painting of a fireplace waffle iron was made by Manuel G. Runyan, an artist born way back in 1855. Just look at how Runyan has captured the waffle iron: all browns and creams, so matter-of-factly, as if saying, “Here it is, take it or leave it!” I can almost feel Runyan’s hand moving across the page, coaxing the image into being, adding layer upon layer, building up tone and texture. Imagine Runyan, squinting slightly, trying to get every detail just right. He must have been very focused to get the angle of the light on the metal like that. It’s a really simple thing, a waffle iron, but he makes it glow. It’s like he’s saying, “Even the most ordinary objects can be beautiful if you really look.” We might not think of this as cutting-edge, but Runyan’s vision has touched so many artists after him. Artists are always having this conversation, across time. That is painting for you!