Silver Tankard c. 1936

This is Michael Fenga’s drawing of a Silver Tankard. Fenga was born in 1855, so let's imagine him, with pencil in hand, closely observing and transcribing the surfaces and details of this vessel. I imagine Fenga carefully rendered the play of light on its metallic curves, the ornate crest centered on its belly, and the intricacies of its handle and lid. It’s an exacting process, isn't it? This work demanded careful attention, each line contributing to a holistic vision of this object. You can tell Fenga was really considering all the ways to depict this thing, as it exists in both three-dimensional space and as a two-dimensional image. There are four smaller studies of the object, each offering a unique angle and perspective, and it makes me wonder about the nature of our gaze. We can think about painting as a site of inquiry, where different methods offer alternative ways to see, think, and experience the world. Fenga's tankard is a good example of that.