Stiegel Water Tumbler c. 1936

Erwin Schwabe rendered this Stiegel Water Tumbler with graphite and watercolor on paper. I imagine him bent over his drawing board, squinting to observe every little facet of light, every delicate detail of the glass. There is a sense of calm in his work. I can almost see the gentle motion of his hand as he applies the watercolor, building up subtle layers of light and shadow to capture the transparent quality of glass. It's such a patient, loving act. The simple vessel becomes a quiet monument to the beauty of everyday objects and a celebration of human craft. Schwabe has somehow found a way to make an image of a glass into a form of embodied expression, embracing both the fragility and resilience of life. It reminds me that true art lies in the seeing, the feeling, and the making.