Salt Cellar 1935 - 1942

Here is a drawing of a salt cellar made by Giacinto Capelli. The piece is rendered in soft purple hues with careful attention to light and shadow. Looking at this makes me think about the humble salt cellar. A functional object, but one elevated here with a kind of quiet dignity, don’t you think? I can imagine Capelli at work, his brow furrowed in concentration, trying to capture the delicate translucence of the glass. Maybe he was interested in the way light refracts through the curves and angles, transforming something utilitarian into a small jewel. The precision of the linework reminds me a little of Agnes Martin, in the sense that simplicity can be so powerful. It is a quiet, contemplative piece. It invites us to slow down and find beauty in the everyday. The careful shading and intricate detailing show me how the most mundane objects can become sources of fascination and artistic inspiration.