Umbrella Stand c. 1939

This drawing of an umbrella stand was made by Herman Bader, and it has a very simple palette of blacks, whites, and grays. I imagine the artist had to consider how to transform something three-dimensional into a convincing illusion on a flat surface, so that even though it’s black and white, you can still tell what it is. I can feel his hand in the making of this artwork, and the care he’s taken in rendering the intricate metalwork. The way he renders the form gives a solid presence to an everyday object, a functional thing that you’d find in a hallway to collect dripping umbrellas! But, also, what is the point of drawing an umbrella stand? Maybe it’s about elevating the mundane, or maybe it's a deep appreciation for the art of metalwork. Either way, it's a reminder that inspiration can be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places.