Tool Box Hasp c. 1938

Mildred Ford, sometime in the 20th century, captured this Tool Box Hasp on paper. Looking at this drawing, I imagine Mildred, maybe a little hunched over, studying this piece of hardware. The whole thing has this lovely, quiet energy, doesn't it? The texture is incredible; you can almost feel the cool smoothness of the metal contrasting with the soft grain of the paper. I bet she was thinking about its use, maybe even the sound it makes when it latches. I'm especially drawn to how she rendered the hinge. See how she suggests depth and movement with those subtle shifts in tone? It's like she's inviting us to consider the mechanics of everyday life. It reminds me of other artists like Vija Celmins who find beauty in overlooked objects. There's a conversation happening here across time, an exchange of ideas about seeing and appreciating the world around us. Mildred shows us that even the most mundane things, like a tool box hasp, can hold endless fascination and wonder.