Branding Iron c. 1942

Editor: We’re looking at Elizabeth Johnson's "Branding Iron" from around 1942, a drawing rendered in watercolor. It’s rather stark, isn't it? The simple shape against the blank space really emphasizes the object’s geometry. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: It is the artist's meticulous use of perspective. Consider how Johnson uses foreshortening to compress the depth of the branding iron's head, and the cast shadow which cleverly grounds this object. The diamond form is repeated, reinforcing a symbolic, self-referential structure. How do you feel about the symbolism of these shapes? Editor: That's interesting! The repetitive geometric shape gives it an industrial feel, very clean and modern. Though it’s depicting something rather… brutal. Does the contrast enhance the intended theme? Curator: Perhaps. Johnson invites us to explore contrasts—the hardness of the metal against the fluidity of the watercolor. The object, inherently one of ownership and control, is isolated. Is this then perhaps a work reflecting the anxieties of ownership during a wartime context, perhaps? Consider also the medium. Would an oil painting have conveyed the message in the same manner? Editor: I see, the deliberate medium choice definitely shifts the message. Thanks! I'm going to rethink the effect of formalism here. Curator: Indeed, let's not understate its subtle influence in understanding the artistic method that underlies the composition!