Betty Lamp c. 1938

John Swientochowski made this drawing of a Betty Lamp, and it's all about observation, I think. The subdued palette focuses on the lamp’s form, a kind of volumetric study, where the light source seems to emanate from within the object itself. The lamp is rendered with a delicate touch. The washes of color are thin and transparent, allowing the paper's surface to breathe. Look at the way Swientochowski handles the metal, suggesting its texture through subtle gradations of tone and the faintest hint of rust. The artist's attention to detail transforms a humble object into a thing of beauty. It puts me in mind of those meticulous renderings by Albrecht Dürer. Both artists share a fascination with the world around them, seeing the potential for art in the everyday. Like Dürer’s studies of plants and animals, Swientochowski's lamp invites us to appreciate the quiet dignity of ordinary things, and to find our own light in the dark.