Wagon Maker's Chisel c. 1942

William Frank made this painting of a Wagon Maker's Chisel, but when and with what, we aren’t exactly sure. What you see is a dance of browns, tans, and grays, all interwoven with the delicate touch of watercolor. It’s like watching the memory of an object materialize on paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the grain of the wooden handle is rendered with such care. Each stroke seems to honor the material, its history, its very essence. And that metal blade, dulled with age, is rendered with such precision; you can almost feel its weight. It's a humble tool, depicted with a reverence that elevates it beyond its utilitarian purpose. The way Frank handles the watercolor—allowing the paper to breathe through the washes, creating subtle variations in tone—reminds me a bit of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes. Both artists share a knack for finding beauty in the mundane, for transforming everyday objects into objects of contemplation. It’s a reminder that art is not just about what we see, but how we see.