Weather Vane - Cock c. 1938

Selma Sandler made this drawing of a weather vane, a proud cock, sometime in the 20th century, using watercolor and graphite. The palette is restrained, almost monochromatic, allowing the forms to emerge gradually, like memories. It’s a real process of seeing and feeling. I love the way Sandler renders the metal of the vane. It's not just flat; it has this incredible depth and texture. You can almost feel the cool, weathered surface. Look closely at the wing, how each feather is carefully delineated with graphite lines, suggesting both weight and movement. The light catches the ridges and valleys, bringing the whole thing to life. It’s more than just a drawing of a thing; it’s a drawing about the thingness of a thing. There is a quiet attention to the everyday that reminds me of some of Fairfield Porter’s paintings, a similar focus on the beauty of ordinary objects. Sandler finds poetry in the mundane, transforming a simple weather vane into something resonant and deeply felt.