Drawer Pull c. 1936

Janet Riza made this drawing of a drawer pull, likely using watercolor or colored pencil. There's something so simple yet profound about elevating an everyday object like this to a subject of art. The way Riza renders the metallic sheen of the drawer pull is fascinating. The colors seem to shift and change as you move around the piece. Looking closely, you can see the delicate lines and shading that give it form. It is a testament to the beauty of observation and the transformative power of art. It reminds me a little of Vija Celmins's meticulous renderings of everyday objects, or even Giorgio Morandi's still lifes. Riza invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, finding beauty in the mundane and celebrating the quiet poetry of everyday life.