Grey Stoneware Cuspidor 1935 - 1942

Frank Fumagalli made this drawing of a cuspidor with what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. I like the way he's not afraid to let the grey kind of wash out and fade, making the whole thing feel airy, almost like a memory. The blues are dabbed on with a real looseness, like he’s letting the brush dance, you know? I’m drawn to the way he’s handled the flower-like shapes on the side. Each petal is a quick, almost gestural stroke, giving them a lively, imperfect feel. It's like he's capturing the essence of a flower rather than trying to copy one. The central dark circle gives the flower weight. There's something so humble and straightforward about this piece. It reminds me a little of Morandi's still life paintings, where everyday objects are elevated through careful observation and a kind of quiet, meditative process. Fumagalli is maybe reminding us that even the most ordinary things have a beauty if you really look.