Pa. German Hinge c. 1936

This meticulous drawing of a Pa. German Hinge was made by Mildred Ford, who lived an impressively long life, from 1855 to 1995. Look at the way Ford has carefully rendered the form of the hinge. I imagine her bent over the paper, squinting slightly, translating the three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional representation. There’s a stillness and focus in her line work, a sensitivity to the play of light and shadow on the metal. See how the curved shapes of the hinge intertwine? It reminds me a little bit of calligraphy. The texture isn't smooth and precise, there's the smallest indication of wear and tear. Ford's drawing practice reminds us that artists are always in dialogue with the world around them, finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. I find myself wondering, what other everyday objects captured her imagination?