Pewter Coffee Pot c. 1936

Eugene Barrell made this watercolor drawing of a pewter coffee pot sometime in the 20th century. Look at how Barrell coaxes the reflected light out of the metal. It’s not just grey; it’s a whole symphony of shades. The surface of the coffee pot is smooth, almost polished. I wonder what it feels like to hold. Notice the way the curves of the handle echo the spout. It feels like it is a dance, doesn’t it? The artist has taken so much care to balance all of the elements of the image. If you look closely, you can see the subtle rendering on the body of the pot. It’s like he’s breathing life into an inanimate object. This reminds me of those still life paintings by Giorgio Morandi, where simple objects become monumental through careful observation. It’s a reminder that art is not just about grand gestures, but also about finding beauty in the everyday.