Pewter Teapot c. 1936

Fred Peterson made this pewter teapot drawing at some point in the 20th century, using graphite on paper. Look at the way he's built up tone with such simple means. Graphite has this great slippery, almost liquid quality, doesn't it? You can really feel its surface and density, its capacity to reflect light. Notice how Peterson renders the curves and contours of the teapot. He seems to be mapping out its surface, almost caressing it with the graphite. Look closely at the handle. It seems to glow against the paper. Peterson uses these very delicate strokes and smudges to make it look almost three-dimensional. It's incredible to think he achieved this shimmering effect with just a pencil. It reminds me a little of Morandi and his still-life paintings. Both artists find ways of finding something profound in the ordinary. I think Peterson, like Morandi, knew that art embraces ambiguity over fixed meanings.