Pennsylvania Fat Lamp c. 1940

Milton Grubstein made this drawing of a Pennsylvania Fat Lamp, date unknown, with what looks like graphite or charcoal on paper. You can see the artist's hand in the deliberate, almost scientific way the lamp is rendered. It's all about process here, isn't it? Look at how Grubstein uses subtle gradations of tone to define the form of the lamp, from the cylindrical cup at the top to the weighty base. Notice that short chain dangling from the stem – a tiny, looping rhythm that contrasts beautifully with the solid, utilitarian form of the lamp itself. I love the way that Grubstein has paid so much attention to the effects of light and shadow on the lamp. This drawing is a reminder that art isn’t always about grand gestures or bold statements. Sometimes, it’s about the quiet, careful observation of everyday objects. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting the same bottles over and over, searching for something new each time. It’s that kind of humble, persistent inquiry that makes art so endlessly fascinating, don’t you think?