Pewter Porringer 1935 - 1942

This is A. Zaidenberg's 'Pewter Porringer', made with pencil on paper. It's the way the pencil is used here, so meticulous, that really grabs me. It’s all about process, isn’t it? The surface is smooth but rich with the delicate gradations of graphite. You can almost feel the weight of the metal it represents. The artist has a delicate hand, each mark carefully placed to build up the form, and capture the subtle reflections on the pewter's surface. Look at the tiny hatching on the lip of the vessel, and the way it contrasts with the plain paper in the very centre, creating the illusion of depth. It's a lesson in observation. It reminds me of Morandi, with his quiet, contemplative still lifes, each object rendered with such care. It’s a humble subject, yet Zaidenberg coaxes out a quiet beauty through careful observation. Art isn't about grand gestures, it's about seeing, isn't it? And what a beautiful thing it is to really look!