Tankard c. 1938

Irving L. Biehn, who lived a long life, made this tankard drawing. There’s something about the way the brown ink or paint—it’s hard to tell—creates a sense of depth and weight. You can almost feel the texture of the wood, the rings, the slightly rough surface. It's as if he is using the brown ink to trace something that is already there. I am drawn to the handle and how it seems to almost pierce the side of the tankard. In that area you can see how the ink has bled slightly into the page, blurring the lines and adding to the sense of depth. You can almost see echoes of woodcuts in this piece, a kind of cross pollination between the disciplines! The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of everyday objects.