Silver Mug c. 1936

This is Michael Fenga’s "Silver Mug", and it looks like it was carefully rendered in pencil on paper. What strikes me is how Fenga's approach here feels almost like a form of meditation. There’s a real focus on the process, a kind of gentle, repetitive action of mark-making. The texture is so smooth, almost metallic, achieved through delicate shading. The way he captures light reflecting off the mug's surface is quite something. Look at the small decorative details, echoed in miniature sketches around the central image, which elevate the object from a mere drinking vessel to something more symbolic. I'm reminded of Giorgio Morandi, who also transformed simple vessels into studies of light, form and tone. Like Morandi, Fenga prompts us to consider the beauty of everyday objects and to see the world with more attentive eyes. It is like a quiet conversation across time.