Pewter Coffee Pot c. 1936

This is Eugene Barrell’s drawing of a pewter coffee pot. It looks like it was made with graphite, possibly with the aid of technical drawing instruments and templates. I wonder how long it took him. He has captured the object's intricate floral decorations in remarkable detail, and I can imagine Barrell carefully observing and translating the three-dimensional form onto a two-dimensional surface. I suppose he had to develop a deep understanding of his subject, really looking at it and getting to know it. The various shades of gray create a subtle sense of depth, highlighting the reflections on the pewter surface. This drawing reminds me of other artists who have drawn functional objects like pottery and furniture. There is something so lovely about celebrating everyday things. The artist is showing us that even simple utilitarian objects can be beautiful.