Silver Beaker c. 1936

This understated drawing of a silver beaker, made by Lawrence Flynn, feels so calm and considered. The way the lines are so carefully placed, almost reverent, makes me think about the act of giving, the purpose of the vessel, and the way craftsmanship elevates an ordinary object. Imagine Flynn, head slightly bent, meticulously drawing each line, each curve, thinking about light reflecting off the silver. The inscription, so neatly done, tells a story of community, of generosity, of a gift meant to last. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin's drawings, the quiet precision, the subtle variations that speak volumes. Flynn probably wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel here, but he reminds us that even the simplest forms, rendered with care and intention, can hold a lot of feeling. It's this passing on of ideas, from the craftsman to the artist, to us the viewer, that keeps the whole thing alive.