Silver Cup 1935 - 1942

Isidore Steinberg made this drawing of a Silver Cup probably with graphite on paper. I like how the artist has captured the play of light on the metallic surface. You can almost feel the coolness of the metal, can’t you? It’s so subtle and delicate the way the light falls, as if the cup is breathing quietly. I wonder what Steinberg was thinking as he drew this cup? Maybe he was interested in form and perspective, or maybe this was part of a broader exploration of domestic objects. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings – both artists share this interest in simple shapes and everyday scenes. Each artist shows how even the most mundane objects can become extraordinary when you really look at them closely. It highlights how artists are continually inspired by those who came before, and that art making is a process of call and response across generations.