Wooden Plow c. 1937

Majel G. Claflin made this watercolor painting of a wooden plow sometime in the first half of the 20th century, and I’m struck by the way the artist makes use of subtle color variations to describe the form of this farm tool. Claflin's delicate touch with the watercolor is remarkable; the washes of color are so thin and transparent, yet they build up to create a convincing illusion of depth and volume. Look at how the wood grain is suggested by the faintest of strokes, giving the plow a sense of age and history. The color palette is restrained, mostly browns and grays, but there are moments where Claflin introduces a touch of warmth, a hint of red or orange, that brings the whole piece to life. There’s a small rusty spike on the main body of the plough, rendered with the tiniest brushstrokes. The choice to depict a humble, everyday object like a plow reminds me of the work of Charles Sheeler, who found beauty in the clean lines of industrial machinery. Both artists share a similar appreciation for the formal qualities of their subjects, and a willingness to look beyond the surface to find something deeper.