Corn Planter c. 1938

Editor: This is "Corn Planter" by Max Fernekes, created around 1938. It's a watercolor and pencil drawing of, well, a corn planter. It strikes me as kind of a technical drawing, but also... beautiful in its simplicity. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It reminds me of the quiet dignity of everyday objects. Fernekes elevates this simple farm tool. The precision of the rendering, combined with the softness of the watercolor, suggests an appreciation for both the function and the form. Like a love letter to ingenuity! Do you think the inclusion of those almost ghost-like line drawings is significant? Editor: Good point! Maybe they highlight the design, the underlying mechanics? It's like he's showing us the inside and outside at once. Almost like an instruction manual or architectural drawing. Curator: Exactly! It speaks to the intersection of art and utility, doesn’t it? Fernekes isn’t just depicting an object, but capturing an essential part of rural life, a vital connection to the land. It makes me think about my grandfather’s tools. What would he think about having them enshrined this way? It gets me right here... Editor: I see what you mean. It’s more than just the thing itself; it’s the story, the history behind it. Curator: Precisely. A corn planter; who knew it could hold so much? It truly allows one to reflect on something you might not see or notice without it being placed in this still life, giving a real appreciation for it. Editor: Absolutely! I never thought I’d be so intrigued by a corn planter, but here we are! Curator: Fernekes truly captured my curiosity and eye with this watercolor.