Woman's Clog c. 1936

Melita Hofmann created this drawing of a woman's clog, using watercolor and graphite on paper. Hofmann paid close attention to the material qualities of the shoe, with the dark watercolor creating a sense of the clog’s weight, texture, and form. The graphite outlines emphasize the shoe's construction, the laced upper connected to the heavy wooden sole with a row of rivets. The rendering is precise, but her choice of subject matter is notable. Rather than depict a refined, decorative object, she chose an everyday piece of footwear worn for work or leisure. Shoes protect our feet, support our bodies, and carry us through the world, often produced by skilled, but unacknowledged labor. By focusing on this humble object, Hofmann reminds us of the value and cultural significance of well-made, functional items, urging us to reconsider traditional distinctions between art and craft.