Figurehead from Schooner "Haroldine" 1935 - 1942

This drawing shows a sculpture, called the Figurehead from Schooner "Haroldine", we don't know when it was made or by whom, and there is something beautiful and compelling about that. Look at how the artist uses delicate, almost transparent washes of color to capture the textures of the carved wood. You can almost feel the grain, the age of the material, in these marks. The details on the brim of the hat, it's been worn away by time. The wood is pockmarked, but the details of the face are smooth and precise, that contrast is really interesting. This drawing reminds me of the drawings of Charles Sheeler. He also took inspiration from vernacular objects and celebrated the beauty of functional design through precise, almost photographic representation. But where Sheeler's paintings are crisp and clean, this drawing embraces the imperfections of time and use. It feels less like a statement and more like a quiet observation, an honoring of a piece of history.