Wine Glass 1935 - 1942

Palmyra Pimentel made this drawing of a wine glass on paper using graphite. It is a simple, almost technical drawing, but there is something so satisfying in the process of observing and recreating the world through mark-making. The drawing is all about texture, or rather, the illusion of it. Look at the base of the glass, the way Pimentel layers the graphite to suggest the curve of the glass, the light catching on its surface. The whole thing has this quiet, humble quality, but it’s also so precise. It makes me think about the way we look at things, the way we try to capture a fleeting moment or feeling. There’s a real sense of care, of attention to detail, that makes this drawing so compelling. It reminds me of some of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, with their muted colors and quiet contemplation of everyday objects. Both artists remind us that art doesn’t always have to be loud or flashy to be profound.