Star Pastry Squeezer c. 1939

John Petrucci made this drawing of a Star Pastry Squeezer, using pencil and watercolour. There’s something endearing about the subject matter, like a treasured object. The palette is restrained, almost monochromatic, which lends a sense of gravity to something as whimsical as a pastry tool. The way Petrucci builds up tone through layers of watercolour gives a real sense of the object’s form and texture. Look closely at the handle. See how the light glances off the ridges? The artist really pays attention to the details. The choice to depict this particular object makes me think of other artists who found beauty in the everyday. Giorgio Morandi, for example, with his still lifes of humble bottles and jars. Both artists remind us that art isn’t just about grand gestures, it’s about seeing the world with fresh eyes.