Baby's Feeding Bottle c. 1937

This is Samuel Fineman's Baby's Feeding Bottle. It was rendered in graphite and watercolor. The painting has this wonderful metallic sheen, achieved through the layering of thin washes. I imagine Fineman carefully observing the object, trying to capture its form with precision. The drawing has a kind of quietness to it. He’s really trying to understand the object, turning it in his mind, observing the way light plays across its surface. There’s a lovely sense of depth and volume, especially in the rendering of the handle. The artist is thinking about the geometric relationships in a very deliberate way. Painters are constantly learning from each other. They examine each other’s work. Fineman’s feeding bottle has a conceptual and technical approach that echoes the still-life paintings of Giorgio Morandi, who was doing similar work at the time. It’s all part of an ongoing exchange of ideas. Each artist brings their unique voice to the conversation.