Silver Bowl c. 1936

Clayton Braun’s ‘Silver Bowl’ drawing is a study of a functional object transformed into a space of aesthetic inquiry. I can almost see him at work, lightly sketching, erasing, and refining until the bowl and handles take shape. Notice how Braun's pencil captures the metallic sheen, the way light reflects and contours the bowl's elegant form. The smaller technical drawing at the lower left gives another perspective. This piece reminds me of when I was tasked with technical drawing in college. It seemed so at odds with the paintings I wanted to make but afterwards, it was like I could ‘see’ the geometry of the objects around me. It gave my work an entirely new dimension. I imagine Braun had a similar experience; he wasn’t simply replicating an object. He was also exploring shape, form, and light. It’s a quiet conversation between the artist, the object, and, ultimately, us. Braun prompts us to think of the humble bowl as something more than just a container.