Knife Sharpener c. 1939

Lionel Ritchey made this watercolor of a knife sharpener, and the simplicity of it is just so appealing. It has this humble, handmade quality, like it was made in a quiet, thoughtful space. I’m really drawn to the texture he’s created with the grainy surface of the stone, in contrast to the smooth handle. I can almost feel it, you know? Like I’m holding it in my hands. I wonder if Ritchey was thinking about use and touch. The brown and grey tones are understated and honest, just like the object itself. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s this thing, it’s useful, it’s simple, it’s beautiful in its own way." It reminds me of other painters who find beauty in everyday objects, like Morandi with his bottles. There’s something really generous about taking the time to see the beauty in the mundane. It's a reminder that art can be found anywhere, in anything.