Mortar and Pestle 1939

Carl Buergerniss made this drawing of a mortar and pestle, its date is unknown, with what looks like graphite and watercolor on paper. The light is just so, giving it an almost eerie sense of depth and dimension. I’m really drawn to how Buergerniss renders the texture of the wood. See the vertical strokes along the base? They mimic the grain and almost make it seem like a woodcut. Then, closer to the lip of the mortar, the strokes are more random, scrumbly. It's fascinating how the handling of the medium can evoke such different tactile sensations. And the palette: limited, earthy tones. It all speaks to a process of careful observation, as if the artist is trying to capture the very essence of this object. This reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi and his still life paintings, where simple objects take on a kind of monumental quality. Both artists, in their own way, invite us to slow down and really look at the world around us. In the end, it’s these kinds of quiet, thoughtful works that remind me why I love art so much.