Hand Iron c. 1938

Robert Rigsby’s watercolor artwork shows a hand iron, a humble tool of domesticity and labor, rendered with a solemnity that elevates it beyond its utilitarian purpose. The iron, in its form, is a symbol of transformation – the smoothing out of creases, the imposition of order. One might even consider it as a symbol of the 'domestication' of the household. Think back to ancient tools of metalwork, fire, and shaping that this instrument has become, reflecting a desire for refinement. It is a far cry from the blacksmith's forge, yet it carries the same elemental power, channeled into a feminine sphere. Consider, then, the psychological impact: the repetitive motion, the heat, the imprint left upon fabric. It is an act of care, of control, imbued with the weight of tradition and expectation. This cyclical progression has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.