Andiron (one of pair) c. 1936

This drawing of an andiron, one of a pair, was made by Hans Korsch sometime between 1855 and 1995. Korsch uses line to define and describe the object, but he doesn't stop there. The shading is what gives this object substance. Look at how he renders the metal, how he builds up layers of color to describe the form and catch the light. It has the appearance of something solid and real. There's a lovely, gentle quality, it's both precise and delicate, like a botanical illustration. There's a second andiron, drawn in pencil, hovering in the background, a ghost image of the first. The drawing reminds me of technical drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. Both artists share a similar curiosity, and a desire to capture the world around them with precision and care. What stays with me is the beauty, and the attention and care given to something we might consider a functional, everyday object.