Silver Lemon Strainer c. 1936

This delicate technical drawing of a "Silver Lemon Strainer" was produced by Michael Fenga sometime between 1855 and 1995. I'm getting a real sense of intimacy from the artist's careful attention to detail. It feels like he really cared about this little strainer! I like the way he renders the object from multiple viewpoints, almost like a cubist painting. There's a functional element too – he’s diagramming the object, describing its form, and even noting its measurements. I imagine Fenga hunched over his drawing board, squinting at the strainer, making tiny, precise marks with his pencil. What was he thinking about as he worked? Was he just focused on the task at hand, or was he also thinking about the history of design, the beauty of functional objects, or the simple pleasure of a perfectly strained lemon? Painters and designers are constantly in dialogue with each other. I imagine Fenga saw beauty in the everyday, and his drawing makes me appreciate the artistry that goes into even the most humble objects. It reminds us that beauty and functionality can coexist, enriching our lives in unexpected ways.