Tumbler 1935 - 1942

Curator: At first glance, it appears we have an utterly banal subject, almost painfully straightforward. Editor: Not necessarily. It strikes me as still. Quiet, even. A cylinder rendered with surprising subtlety. The gradation of the grey wash, the attention to the reflective surfaces—it invites closer inspection. What is it, precisely? Curator: Indeed. This watercolor drawing is by Michael Trekur, dating, as far as we can tell, from between 1935 and 1942, and it depicts, rather plainly, a “Tumbler”. It seems to be an exercise in Realism. Editor: The realism intrigues me. The cup, a familiar form, might resonate with ideas of utility, domesticity, routine, or tradition, wouldn’t you agree? What is it designed to contain, what has it contained, whose thirst has it quenched, why this and no other form, in what place was it at home? Curator: A tumbler—a common, simple object and an intriguing study for Trekur during that period. It's worth noting this form is found from 1795 to 1888. One might interpret the sheen, rendered beautifully in watercolor, as more than just the representation of light. It is representative of its importance: of cleanliness, health, hygiene. Water as life's essence. Editor: Or the void? We see the exterior remarkably well, but the interior is just hinted at—a beckoning darkness. Is it empty or full? What does it mean to have all of the information save the answer that will define our reading of the image? Curator: An interesting contrast. Ultimately, Trekur's "Tumbler," whether perceived as mundane or mystical, compels us to consider the deeper meaning embedded within everyday life. Editor: Indeed. The stillness invites contemplation on the object, the surface, the idea itself.