Match Holder 1935 - 1942

Curator: Here we have Edward L. Loper's "Match Holder," created sometime between 1935 and 1942 using ink and paper. Editor: Oh, what a curious little piece. It feels like something you'd find tucked away in a dusty attic, all forgotten but brimming with old-world charm. Curator: The ink drawing exhibits a strong emphasis on the interplay of light and shadow, effectively defining the form of this utilitarian object through a tonal vocabulary that emphasizes texture and surface complexity. The symmetrical structure is also worth mentioning, note how Loper masterfully organizes each element to contribute to its unified effect. Editor: You’re right, it’s not just a functional thing; it’s elevated by those ornate flourishes. It’s almost like Loper is imbuing everyday life with a bit of the artistic flair. The little fluted cup where the matches sit almost looks like a chalice. Curator: Precisely. The work resides in the intersection of decorative art and realism, documenting everyday items while maintaining its visual integrity. Note how the formal elements operate—line, shading, texture—it almost seems to move beyond pure documentation to achieve something more ethereal. Editor: Ethereal, yes! It reminds me of those old black and white movies, where everything had a certain shimmer, even the mundane objects. Did match holders even need to be this fancy? I wonder about the kind of person who would've had this in their house. Curator: The artist uses strategic hatching and cross-hatching in some areas of the drawing to suggest depth and volume. Through his command of his materials, Loper draws our eye and attention towards the often-overlooked elegance in even the simplest of tools. Editor: Maybe it’s the sepia tones at work here, or simply that old matches invoke such a different era, but it does capture a real bygone sensibility, doesn’t it? Makes me want to curl up by the fire with a book, not actually strike a match. Curator: The subtle nuances inherent in Loper’s choices of composition ultimately elevate "Match Holder" beyond mere functional representation, achieving a delicate balance of aesthetics and practicality. Editor: I appreciate how the simple depiction reminds us that even the smallest things can contain unexpected beauty, if we take the time to truly see. It makes one want to reconsider the objects we encounter everyday and view them with fresh eyes.