Drawer Pull c. 1936

Editor: This watercolor drawing from around 1936, titled "Drawer Pull," by Hans Korsch, is just lovely. The artist captures light in such a delicate way on these ornate drawer pulls, each reflecting their gilded surfaces. It gives me the impression that you'd stumble across them while walking through an antique store, glinting subtly in the sunlight. What is your interpretation of Korsch's artistry and purpose with this study? Curator: You're spot-on. These aren't just utilitarian objects; Korsch imbues them with a certain *presence*, don't you think? The soft watercolor seems to invite intimacy, as if urging you to touch them or ponder their previous existence and the stories they must hold. He renders functional hardware almost sacred, showcasing a designer’s appreciation. Notice how the rendering almost lacks a fixed viewpoint? It hints at form, but not necessarily construction. Do you get the impression that they really exist beyond his imagined world? Editor: That’s so interesting! I hadn't really thought about the lack of definitive viewpoint, that is not typical of product or construction drawings...It makes it harder to determine their size. Curator: Precisely! And think of the time—the 1930s—when the stark functionality of the Bauhaus was yielding somewhat to a softening Art Deco aesthetic. Even humble drawer pulls are invested with a sense of stylish aspiration. What a beautiful juxtaposition of functionality and ornate artistic flourish. It is almost as if the handles have escaped time! Editor: Yes, it has been such a useful way to reconsider a piece that looks so simple. Thanks for your insight! Curator: The pleasure was mine; you've got a bright artistic eye!