Pottery Lamp c. 1938

Fritz Boehmer made this drawing of a pottery lamp in what looks like watercolour or gouache on paper. It's amazing how he's built up the form of the lamp through these thin, watery layers of brown and grey. You can really see the process, the way he's felt his way around the object. The colours are so understated, almost monochromatic, but that makes you focus on the textures. Look at the way the light catches on the curve of the handle, or the subtle variations in tone on the base. There's this beautiful sense of depth and solidity created with such simple means. It reminds me a bit of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, where everyday objects become these monumental, almost meditative forms. Both artists seem to be saying that you don't need a lot of flash or colour to find beauty in the world, it's all about how you see.