Candlestick c. 1939

Howard Lumbard made this drawing of a candlestick, we’re not sure when, and it has a simple, pared-down kind of vibe. The controlled palette feels almost like he mixed the colors from mud, there’s something very basic about it. When you look closer at the base, you can see the delicate gradations of tone in the paper, and the way it's been built up, like layers of sediment. The paint is thin, almost watery, and it runs and bleeds into the paper. It’s not really precise, or precious in any way. The whole thing has a bit of a Marcel Duchamp feel, who elevated everyday objects to the status of art. This drawing reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting the same bottles over and over. Lumbard’s piece isn't so much about perfection as it is about seeing, and feeling, the quiet beauty in everyday things. There's no fixed meaning here, just a moment of contemplation, a gentle invitation to see the world in a different way.