Silver Mug c. 1938

Leo Drozdoff rendered this silver mug using graphite and gouache, likely during the mid-20th century. The drawing is an example of the kind of detailed documentation that was valued by institutions like museums and historical societies. Notice the precision in the rendering of the mug’s form, its highlights and shadows. The artist meticulously captures the texture of the metal, emphasizing its reflective qualities. The choice of a utilitarian object elevates the everyday, hinting at a desire to preserve and celebrate a disappearing material culture. In a rapidly industrializing world, there was growing appreciation for handcrafted items that spoke to a slower, more deliberate pace of life. To fully appreciate the cultural significance of this drawing, we can turn to period catalogs, journals, and design publications. These sources help us understand the social values attached to such objects and the institutions that sought to preserve them for posterity.