Silver Tankard c. 1936

Horace Reina made this drawing of a silver tankard at some point between 1855 and 1995. It’s really all about line, isn't it? A network of hatched shading and confident outlines combine to render the gleam of the hypothetical silver surface. The drawing is so precise, almost as if you could reach out and feel the cool metal under your fingertips. Look at how Reina varies the pressure of his pencil to create different tones and textures, from the smooth, reflective body of the tankard to the intricate details of the handle. Notice how he picks out the delicate garland draped above the heraldic shield. It's a detail that brings the whole thing to life! You can almost feel the weight of the object in your hands. It's tempting to think of Reina as a kind of American cousin to Menzel, both artists who really knew how to see. Ultimately, art isn't about fixed meanings but about opening up possibilities, inviting us to see the world in new ways.