Norfolk Latch c. 1939

This drawing of a 'Norfolk Latch' was made by Samuel W. Ford. The colors are muted, rusty browns, and the lines are crisp, describing the shape of the metal fitting. I imagine Ford hunched over a table, carefully rendering each detail. The texture is amazing and gives a tactile sense of the object. I love the way Ford made the painting so precise. I mean, who knew a latch could be so interesting? I can almost feel the weight of it in my hand, the cool metal, the satisfying click as it fastens. It's like he's saying, "Hey, even the everyday things are worth a closer look." And he's right. It reminds me of the Dutch Masters who could take something as simple as a bowl of fruit and turn it into a masterpiece. It’s about finding beauty in the mundane. All art is about looking and responding, we keep the conversation going, across time and space.