Earrings c. 1937

Isidore Steinberg created this rendering of earrings using watercolor and graphite on paper. Considered purely as a drawing, the metallic effect comes from the skilled application of washes, building up the illusion of dimensionality with shadow and highlight. But of course, these are also designs for actual objects, conceived to be fabricated from precious metal, presumably gold. Think of all the techniques involved in this transformation from image to object; lost-wax casting, chasing, polishing, and soldering. And consider the social context. Jewelry always exists in a complex relationship to wealth. It is worn as a signifier of status, and also as a raw material with an exchange value. Steinberg's design had to be both aesthetically appealing and technically feasible, but also attuned to market demands. By considering these factors, we begin to understand the full significance of this exquisite drawing.