Porcelain Vase 1936

This drawing of a porcelain vase was made by John Fisk, who lived a long life, from 1855 to 1995, and worked with what looks like watercolor or gouache. There's a kind of tentative approach to the marks, building up the image with layers of delicate blue and white. You can see the process. The vase itself is rendered with such care and attention to detail, you can almost feel its smooth, cool surface. Fisk really hones in on the intricate patterns, swirling floral motifs, and geometric shapes, echoing the kind of close looking you do when you are trying to understand the world by drawing it. The blues feel watery and light. Notice how the shadows are built up with tiny, precise strokes. There’s an uncertainty to the drawing, like he’s feeling his way through the image. It brings to mind the work of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting the same bottles over and over again. It’s not just about the vase; it’s about the act of seeing, the process of making, and the quiet beauty of everyday objects.