Silver Ornament for Scroll c. 1936

This is Aaron Fastovsky's graphite on paper drawing of a ‘Silver Ornament for Scroll’, and it's fascinating to imagine him making it. The level of detail shows a careful, meditative process. Think about the way he has built up the image, stroke by stroke, to describe the silver ornament. He works to evoke the texture and reflective quality of metal, as well as the decorative components. The hanging bells remind me of those painted by Giorgio Morandi in his still lifes. Both artists create such intimate and contemplative works through the patient observation and translation of objects. The linear quality to the drawing feels very delicate, while the ornament itself with the crown and bells has such a strong presence and quiet power. Like all artists, Fastovsky is in dialogue with the art of the past, filtering it through his own unique sensibility.