Silver Teapot c. 1936

Giacinto Capelli made this drawing of a teapot sometime in the 20th century. It's a beautifully observed drawing, with soft, diffused hatching. Look at the subtle gradations of tone in the body of the pot, they give it a real sense of depth and volume. The handle is more calligraphic, with a decisive, bold line. A drawing like this is all about process, it's a slow, careful build up of marks. Notice how the hatching marks follow the form of the pot, they curve and flow to give it that smooth, reflective surface. You can almost feel the weight of the metal and imagine how cold and smooth it might feel in your hand. I am reminded of Morandi, with his endless studies of bottles and jugs. Like Morandi, Capelli finds something quite profound in the everyday. It's a humble, but deeply satisfying image, isn't it?