Andiron (one of pair) c. 1938

Salvatore Borrazzo made this drawing of an andiron—one of a pair—sometime in the 20th century with graphite on paper. Look closely. The way Borrazzo coaxes out the form with such fine, feathery marks is really lovely. It's almost like he’s building up the object from dust. The texture is what grabs me. It’s got this rough, almost granular quality, like the metal itself might feel. See how the light catches those tiny specks? The drawing has a quiet dignity. It doesn't shout, but it holds its ground. It's a testament to the beauty of simple, functional objects. It makes me think of the drawings of Vija Celmins, who also finds the sublime in everyday things. It’s a reminder that art can be about seeing the world in new ways, finding poetry in the mundane.