Ring c. 1940

This drawing of a ring was made by Michael Fenga, sometime between 1855 and 1995, using what looks like pencil and maybe watercolor. What I love about this piece is how straightforward it is. It’s a drawing of a ring, but it’s also about the process of design, the bare bones of an idea. The marks are delicate, tentative even, and you can see the artist working things out, turning the ring in space, trying to capture its essence from different angles. There's a beauty in this kind of simplicity, a kind of honesty about the work. It reminds me of some of Sol LeWitt’s wall drawings, in that it’s less about the final product and more about the underlying structure, the thought process made visible. It’s a peek behind the curtain, a glimpse into the mind of the artist.