Silver Beakers c. 1936

Clayton Braun's drawing, *Silver Beakers*, uses graphite on paper to render a still life that feels part technical illustration, part symbolic dreamscape. I love how Braun uses the paper's surface to catch the light, almost as if the beakers themselves are glowing from within. You know, looking at this drawing, I imagine Braun carefully building up the tones, layer upon layer, almost caressing the paper with the graphite. Maybe he was thinking about the weight and coolness of the metal, or even imagining reflections shimmering on the polished surfaces. There's a looseness in the details – like the figures flanking the central beaker – that suggests improvisation and intuition. It reminds me of some of the early surrealist drawings, where the artists were exploring the subconscious through free association. Braun, like all artists, is in conversation with the past, riffing on themes and ideas that have been around for centuries. For me, this drawing is more than just a representation of objects; it’s a personal reflection, an invitation to contemplate the beauty and mystery of everyday things.