Tin Tea Caddy c. 1938

Eldon Allen made this drawing of a tin tea caddy with an attention to light, form, and the process of making. The browns, greys and ochres of the caddy contrast with the flat matte colour of the ground. The texture of the tin is carefully rendered in watercolour; the rust spots, the imperfections, the way light catches on the cylindrical body and the geometry of the lid. This is an exercise in observation, yes, but also an intimate portrait of a humble, everyday object. Look at the base of the caddy, the way Allen has suggested the subtle shadow and the thin dark line giving it a sense of weight and grounding. This approach has something in common with Giorgio Morandi, who elevated simple bottles and jars to the status of profound, meditative subjects. Both artists invite us to slow down, observe, and find beauty in the mundane.