Iron Grease Lamp c. 1937

Here's James Drake's study of an Iron Grease Lamp. With watercolors on paper, it’s a small, intimate depiction of a humble, functional object. I imagine Drake, deeply involved in the act of seeing, patiently layering wash over wash to slowly coax the form into being. The object emerges in muted browns and grays. See how the brushstrokes define the curves of the lamp, building up the rusty texture of the iron? He's observing, learning. It makes me think about other artists, like Giorgio Morandi, who found endless inspiration in the everyday. What did Drake feel as he painted this? I picture him contemplating the simplicity and the history of the lamp, recognizing its presence as a beacon in dark spaces, a tool that played a vital role in people’s lives. It’s an act of care, of looking closely, and acknowledging the beauty in simple things. Like Drake and Morandi, artists are always looking, learning, and in conversation with each other across time.