Pa. German Trivet c. 1937

This Pa. German Trivet was drawn by John Dana, though when exactly, we don't know. It's a study of a simple object, maybe made with graphite on paper, and the artist really takes the time to outline all the details. There is such detail here, with all the lines forming these heart shapes on the trivet. I think it’s so interesting when we see a common, everyday object re-presented, because we begin to see it differently. Look at the place where the trivet connects to the handle, which looks like an animal form. It’s easy to see the hand of the artist, and the labor involved, like with a Chuck Close portrait or something. With the side view there too, it reminds me a bit of technical drawing, or even art which looks at scientific form, like some of Agnes Denes work. Ultimately, I think this piece celebrates craft, and the passing down of tradition.