Pennsylvania Fat Lamp c. 1940

Milton Grubstein made this image of a Pennsylvania Fat Lamp at an unknown date, using graphite and watercolor on paper. I'm thinking about Grubstein, alone in the studio with this funny little lamp. What sort of light did it emit? And I bet Grubstein had to squint really closely to capture the form. I feel the artist's hand in the making, and I see the delicate graphite lines that define the lamp's quirky shape. Look at how the watercolor wash adds depth and dimension, giving the metal a sense of weight and age. It’s like Grubstein is saying, hey, even humble, everyday objects have a kind of beauty, if you really pay attention. Artists, throughout time, are always looking back and borrowing, remixing, and riffing off one another, creating this amazing conversation across centuries. They encourage us to slow down, pay attention, and find beauty in the unexpected.