Spur 1935 - 1942

William Hoffman made this drawing of a spur sometime in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, using watercolor and graphite on paper. While seemingly straightforward, the image prompts us to consider the intersection of design, craft, and function. The spur itself would have been made from forged steel, perhaps with applied decoration in other metals or bone. Its primary purpose was utilitarian, to assist the rider of a horse, but considerable artistry was often brought to bear in its production. Spurs like this one evidence the pride and skill involved in their making, and also the social importance they had to the wearer. The act of drawing the object also invests it with new meaning. Hoffman isolates the spur, inviting us to study its form and decoration. By doing so, he elevates it from the world of everyday use to the realm of aesthetic contemplation. This reminds us that all objects, even those with humble origins, can be appreciated for their inherent beauty and the labor involved in their making.