Chopping Knife c. 1940

This "Chopping Knife" was painted by Charles Charon, who lived from 1855 to 1995. The somber watercolor depicts a familiar tool of the kitchen, likely from Charon’s own time. Consider its construction. The steel blade, tempered for hardness, is riveted to a wooden handle, shaped for comfortable grip and control. It speaks to the efficient division of labor, which is characteristic of industrial economies. One maker forges the metal; another turns the wood. The cook, presumably, is the end user. The image also reminds us that even the most mundane objects embody specific cultural values. Here, we see an emphasis on utility and durability. It is a celebration of honest labor, a virtue now somewhat lost in our age of mass production. Charon invites us to consider the beauty in the everyday, elevating craft to the realm of fine art.