Pa. German Toilet Box c. 1939

Carl Strehlau made this watercolor painting of a Pennsylvania German toilet box sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. I love the humble subject matter—a simple wooden box with a mirror, adorned with folk art motifs in gold paint. I imagine Strehlau carefully observing the object, trying to capture its form and decoration with precision. He uses delicate brushstrokes to render the wood grain and the subtle variations in color. There’s a sense of quiet attentiveness to the painting, a desire to honor the craftsmanship and cultural heritage of this everyday object. And it makes you think, doesn’t it? How we adorn the things around us with symbols and meaning, even the most mundane items. The gold decoration elevates the plain brown box, and the artist in turn elevates the object through his attention to detail. It reminds me that art can be found anywhere, in the most unexpected places.