Bootjack 1939

Gerald Bernhardt created this drawing of a bootjack, using pencil and watercolor. The bootjack, a simple tool for removing boots, highlights the relationship between labor and everyday life. Notice how the artist captured the texture and form of the original object, emphasizing its handcrafted nature. The wood's grain and the tool's shape speak to the human effort involved in its creation. The drawing, with its detailed rendering, elevates the status of this humble, utilitarian object. Bernhardt's artistic choice invites us to consider the value and artistry inherent in functional items. It underscores the connection between craft and design, and how these practices are integral to our lived experience. By focusing on such a mundane object, Bernhardt challenges the traditional hierarchies of art, prompting us to see beauty and significance in the everyday.