Silver Tankard 1938

Lawrence Flynn made this drawing of a silver tankard with what looks like careful, deliberate lines. It's like he's feeling his way around the object, mapping its form. There's a precision here, but also a tenderness in how he renders the curves of the handle and the detailing at the base. I like to think about the surface of the paper; it’s pretty smooth, and the ink sits right on top. It's like he's trying to capture not just the shape of the tankard, but also the way light might bounce off its surface. It reminds me of some technical drawings, but with an almost affectionate touch. The little flourish of the signature there in the corner is like a wink, a reminder that this is his interpretation, not just a cold, hard depiction. It makes me think of artists like Agnes Martin, who brought a similar sensitivity to seemingly objective forms. This piece embraces the beauty of simplicity.