Candlestick c. 1936

Janet Riza made this drawing of a candlestick sometime in the 20th century, using graphite and colored pencil. It's all about light, isn't it? I think of Janet sitting with this object in front of her. The candlestick is brassy and catching the light as she carefully draws, adding color to give it depth. I wonder, was it a special object for her? The piece has a humble quality. Maybe she wasn't trying to make a big statement but was just interested in the shape. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting the same bottles over and over. He found endless possibilities in the simple act of looking and recording. Every artist draws on what came before, even when they don't know it. We're all part of this long conversation, and that's what makes art so rich and exciting.