Dueling Pistol c. 1937

Richard Whitaker, who lived a long life spanning from 1855 to 1995, made this drawing of a pistol. It’s an intriguing mix of precision and freedom. Look at how the main pistol is rendered with such detail, the wood grain and silver inlay so carefully delineated, next to two ghost-like sketches. You can almost feel him, can’t you? Crouching over the page, carefully studying the form in front of him, but he's letting his mind wander. I wonder if he was a gun enthusiast, or was he just interested in the complex forms? I bet he was thinking about the people who made such an object and the stories they tell. Maybe thinking about the conversations he might have with other artists. What’s amazing is that it’s as if he’s right here next to me.