Earrings 1935 - 1942

Melita Hofmann made this drawing of earrings with graphite and colored pencil on paper. It’s a simple study, but something about the slight wonkiness of the shapes makes them feel so alive, you know? I love the way Hofmann is thinking through these forms, like she’s turning them over in her mind. See how the graphite lines are so tentative, almost like she’s feeling her way through the image. And then she adds these little pops of color, like the purple and pink in the faceted earring on the left, or the tiny red beads in the pair on the right. These details bring a surprising depth to the piece, adding an emotional charge. This drawing reminds me a little of the work of Ree Morton, who also had a knack for elevating everyday objects through simple gestures. It reminds us that art isn't about perfection, it's about the process of seeing and thinking, and how that can transform the world around us.