Silver Tea Caddy c. 1937

Nicholas Zupa drew this silver tea caddy with pencil on paper, a study in light and shadow. It’s like he’s feeling around the form, mapping out the curves and edges with delicate lines. I imagine Zupa hunched over his drawing board, squinting at the caddy, trying to capture that gleam of silver, the way the light bounces off its surface. He’s really thinking like a sculptor, even though he's drawing. See how he builds up the form with these subtle gradations, almost caressing the paper with his pencil. I wonder if he was a silversmith himself? The ornate details, like the floral swags and the finial on the lid, must have been a real challenge, demanding a lot of patience, precision, and a steady hand. It reminds me that art isn’t just about inspiration, it’s also about really seeing something.