Tomahawk 1935 - 1942

Cornelius Christoffels made this drawing of a Tomahawk with what looks like watercolor and graphite. The way Christoffels uses color is so matter of fact, like in a diagram, which is cool, but it also opens up a space for imagination. I’m drawn to how the graphite marks define the axe head, giving it weight, while the dabs of color seem to float on the surface, especially those orange stripes. Notice how the white diamond shape is just an outline. It’s like he's showing us how the object is constructed, not just what it looks like. This piece reminds me of some of Marsden Hartley’s Native American-inspired works, particularly in the way both artists use simplified forms and bold outlines. But where Hartley went big and bold, Christoffels keeps things intimate, like a quiet observation. It's a good reminder that art isn't about answers, but about the ongoing process of looking and thinking.