Ox Shoes c. 1936

Walter Praefke made this watercolour painting of Ox Shoes sometime in the 20th century. It looks like Praefke built up the image of these shoes in layers, adding depth and a sense of form. The light bounces off the shoe, suggesting a worn surface, maybe dry and cracked like leather would be. You know, I can imagine Praefke studying these shoes closely, trying to capture their shape and texture, thinking about how each mark contributes to the overall composition. What would it be like to be him standing there considering this thing? His shoes? Ox Shoes? The colour palette is very earthy, dominated by browns and creams. There are details added such as the line of small white dots that give the object its edge. It is something like what Guston did but without the angst. And that is not a bad thing. Ultimately, this painting feels very intimate and meditative. It invites us to slow down and contemplate the simple beauty of everyday objects. And to imagine what it’s like to be an artist, who is in the ongoing conversation of object and image.