Silver Teapot c. 1936

S. Brodsky drew this silver teapot sometime between 1855 and 1995. It's a detailed pencil drawing that makes me think about what it means to see something clearly. Brodsky really worked to get the light right, so the surface looks like it's gleaming. It reminds me of when I'm painting and trying to get a certain color just right, layering and layering until suddenly, there it is! It looks like the artist built up the form of the pot with lots of tiny marks, especially on the body, creating a gentle, almost shimmering effect. You can really see the pressure of the pencil, how hard the artist was pressing in certain areas. The handle is solid and dark, anchoring the whole image. I feel like Giorgio Morandi would have loved this, he also took humble objects like bottles and boxes and turned them into something monumental. It makes you realize that seeing, really seeing, is a kind of art in itself.