Baby Shoe c. 1937

Mae A. Clarke made this drawing of a baby shoe on paper. It's kind of like a diagram, all about the clarity of the line. The shoes are depicted in careful outline, isolated against the blank page. On the left, the shoe is presented sole up, while the shoe on the right is upright and fully laced, as though ready to wear. The attention to detail is remarkable and so endearing. The laces are knotted and looped, the eyelets are carefully marked. Looking at this drawing reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, where the subtle variations in line and tone create a meditative space. It's like Clarke is inviting us to contemplate the quiet beauty of everyday objects, of simple, domestic life. Like Martin, Clarke invites us to look more carefully, to appreciate the nuances of the line.