Lantern c. 1938

"Lantern," a graphite drawing by American artist Mildred Ford, depicts a simple yet evocative still life of a lantern. Created around 1938, the work showcases Ford's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the realistic rendering of the lantern's texture and form. The subject matter, a commonplace object, is elevated to a place of quiet dignity and beauty, a testament to Ford's ability to find artistic merit in the ordinary. The artwork's subtle chiaroscuro, achieved through subtle variations in shading, enhances the lantern's three-dimensional quality, drawing the viewer's eye to the interplay of light and shadow. The drawing's overall simplicity and focus on form are characteristic of Ford's artistic style, which often explored themes of domesticity and everyday life.