Pa. German Treen Pie Board c. 1938

Frank McEntee rendered this Pa. German Treen Pie Board with an exquisite eye for the textures and patterns inherent in the wood. Look closely at the way he coaxes the surface to life. Isn’t it remarkable how McEntee transforms a humble kitchen tool into a thing of beauty? The crisscross texture scored into the board has something in common with a hatch mark in an etching, or the woven grid of a canvas. See how each line is incised with care, creating a rhythm that’s both functional and decorative? And consider how he captures the patina of age, the way the wood has darkened and softened over time. In a way, this connects McEntee's work to that of the folk artists he so admired. Like them, he understood that art wasn’t just about technical skill, but about honoring the beauty of the everyday. It’s an ongoing conversation, this dance between utility and art, isn’t it?