Comb c. 1937

Isidore Steinberg made this drawing of a comb with what looks like pencil and watercolour. I like the way it’s so matter-of-fact, almost like a technical drawing, but it has such a great feeling! You can see Steinberg's meticulous eye in the detailed rendering of the comb. It’s got this swirling, amber, tortoise-shell vibe. It makes me wonder what Steinberg was thinking about as he painted the original object. And there’s this other, fainter little drawing of something else nearby, like he was doodling! I can relate to that feeling – sometimes, in the middle of an intense focus, your mind wanders and another image emerges! The color palette is subtle and the lines are delicate, with some parts unfinished, like a ghost of an idea. It reminds us that artists are constantly in conversation with each other, borrowing ideas and techniques across time. Each artist builds on the work of those who came before, creating a rich tapestry of creative expression.