Powder Horn c. 1936

John Fisk, who lived from 1855 to 1995, made this drawing of a Powder Horn. Look at the way the color is applied. The shading is so subtle that it is almost imperceptible, as the artist meticulously renders the object’s form through delicate gradations of tone. The smooth surface and muted color palette creates a sense of tranquility and stillness. I am drawn to the way the artist has captured the play of light on the surface of the object. It seems almost as if the drawing itself is illuminated from within. There’s a specific place where the light glances off the side, just below the knob at the top. It has a luminosity like some of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings. The drawing reminds me that art isn’t just about representation, it's about capturing the essence of a thing. Fisk seems to be in dialogue with the object. It's a quiet conversation, full of admiration and respect. The drawing then is not just about the object, it’s about how we see, how we feel, and how we connect with the world around us.