Silver Beaker c. 1938

This is Holger Hansen’s “Silver Beaker,” a drawing rendered with graphite on paper. The softness of the graphite lends a certain luminosity to the metal. It's like the process of drawing itself is about capturing the way light plays on surfaces. Look how the artist coaxes the reflective sheen of the silver to life. The material aspect of the work is all about the subtle gradations of tone, the way Hansen captures the metallic surface with such sensitivity. Note the delicate marks, almost imperceptible, that build up to create a sense of volume and depth. It's like he’s whispering the form into existence. Hansen’s work reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi. Both artists found endless fascination in simple, everyday objects. Just goes to show, there’s always more to see if you take the time to really look. Art is an invitation to slow down and contemplate the world around us.