Pewter Teapot 1935 - 1942

Charles Cullen made this pewter teapot drawing without a date. The precision is so lovely in this piece, almost like a technical drawing, but then it’s so clearly not. I’m struck by the use of a limited palette of greys and browns, so simple but effective. It gives the piece a sense of quietness, like a whispered secret. Look at the gentle gradations of tone on the teapot's surface. There’s a real sensitivity to the way light falls, which gives the object a three-dimensional presence. The handle is a solid contrast with the metallic body. The brown handle really stands out against the rest. It is like the painter wanted to emphasize it, to make it the focus of the whole piece. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still-life paintings, where everyday objects are imbued with such a sense of care. This piece invites us to slow down, to really see the beauty in the ordinary. It’s a reminder that art isn’t always about grand gestures, but can be found in the simplest of things.