Silver Tankard c. 1936

Isidore Steinberg made this drawing of a silver tankard, at an unknown date, using graphite on paper. You can see how his lines are so delicate, aren’t they? Almost as if he's sketching a fleeting thought. Looking at the surface, I'm struck by the subtle sheen he's managed to create with graphite. It's not just a flat rendering; there's a real sense of the metal's cool touch. The way the light catches the curves, especially around the base, gives it a tangible presence. And did you notice that tiny emblem, with the deer? It reminds me a little of the precision in some of Agnes Martin's grids, though she was working with something much more abstract. Both artists, in their own way, invite us to slow down and really see. It's a reminder that art isn't always about grand statements; sometimes it's about the quiet, meticulous act of looking and recording.