Brooch c. 1937

This drawing of a brooch, by Isidore Steinberg, has such a tender, almost tentative quality. You can see the thought process, the way the artist is working out how this object exists in space. There's the main image of the brooch, a reddish-brown cameo with a classical profile. But then, below, we get these diagrammatic sketches, front and side views, almost like an architect's plan. I love the contrast between the finished piece and the working drawings. It’s like Steinberg is inviting us into his studio, showing us the nuts and bolts of his craft. Look at how he uses colour in the cameo, building up these transparent layers to create depth and volume. It reminds me a little of the way Morandi painted his bottles, this quiet, contemplative approach to everyday objects. It's like he's saying, even the smallest thing can be a source of wonder if you really take the time to look.