Silver Tea Caddy c. 1937

This is Michael Fenga's 'Silver Tea Caddy', made with graphite on paper. What I like about this piece is how Fenga embraces the process of mark making, each line carefully placed to construct the form and capture the reflective qualities of the silver. Look at the crest on the main body of the caddy. The precision and detail here are striking. You can almost feel the texture of the silver, the way it catches the light, how the dark graphite contrasts with the bright highlights. These aren't just lines; they're little sculptures, each one defining the shape and volume of the piece. The additional studies, isolated above the main drawing, show his process. The linear rendition and the focus on the crest are like variations on a theme, each exploring different facets of the same object. It reminds me of Vija Celmins’ meticulous drawings, each one a testament to the power of observation and the beauty of simple materials. It's about looking, seeing, and then, making.