Center Fire Revolver c. 1941

Joseph Cannella made this drawing of a Center Fire Revolver at an unknown date, using what looks like watercolor on paper. The colors are muted, kind of ghostly, and the composition places the revolver smack in the middle of a large, empty field. It's like Cannella is saying, "Here it is, deal with it." The revolver isn't romanticized, it's just presented as an object with a particular shape and feel to it. If you look closely at the center of the cylinder, you'll notice a layered effect, almost like looking into an endless tunnel. This simple mark making creates a sense of depth and mystery in the work. Cannella's way of working reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, who also painted everyday objects with a similar detached curiosity. Ultimately, the power of this work lies in its quiet simplicity. It invites us to think about the object itself, and how it sits within our visual world.