Cherry Pitter 1941

Herman Schulze made this watercolor of a Cherry Pitter sometime in the 20th century. The color palette is simple, maybe a little dour, and the mark-making is all about carefully describing the object. I'm drawn to the way Schulze renders the texture of this machine. It’s all about the subtle shifts in tone, building up layers to give a sense of depth and volume. The way he’s handled the watercolor reminds me a little of technical illustration, but with a sensitivity that elevates it. The legs remind me of curved macaroni. You can see the touch of the artist in every stroke, making it feel both precise and deeply personal. Schulze reminds me of Agnes Martin. Both artists, in their own way, embrace a kind of quiet observation, finding beauty in the everyday. Art is a conversation across time, a dialogue between artists and ideas.