Pa. German Trivet c. 1938

Herman Bader made this drawing of a Pennsylvania German trivet, though we don't know exactly when. The hatching marks that build up the form have a kind of beautiful simplicity. The artist uses a limited palette, focusing on tones that suggest the weight and feel of the trivet. It's all about process, about building up layer by layer to create a sense of depth and volume, and even to suggest light and shadow. I love how the shadows suggest the object's presence. The way the drawing captures the texture and physicality of the trivet makes me feel like I could reach out and touch it. There's a kind of humble beauty in everyday objects. I wonder if Bader knew the tiles of Josef Albers, and his engagement with similar forms, though with an abstracted approach. Art is such an ongoing conversation, right? It’s not about fixed meanings but about opening up spaces for interpretation.