Silver Salt Cellar 1935 - 1942

Aaron Fastovsky’s ‘Silver Salt Cellar’ seems to be made with graphite or a similar dry medium, on paper. The controlled marks create a very precise study of a functional, domestic object. There’s a delicate touch to the shading, creating a sheen, a sense of light reflecting off the silver surface, which is quite lovely. It reminds me of the kind of meticulous observation and quiet dedication you find in Morandi’s still life paintings. There’s a similar commitment to exploring the nuances of tone and form within a limited palette. Look closely at the way Fastovsky renders the handle, with its subtle curves and delicate highlights. It’s this kind of attention to detail that elevates the drawing beyond a mere depiction of an object, making it a meditation on form, light, and the act of seeing. I think both Fastovsky and Morandi share this interest in the everyday, turning functional objects into things of beauty through close observation.