Two Handled Beaker c. 1939

Lawrence Flynn drew this "Two Handled Beaker" with ink on paper. What strikes me first is how the simple lines manage to convey such a solid, three-dimensional object. It's as if Flynn is mapping out the very idea of a beaker, reducing it to its most essential form. Look closely at the lines. They're not perfectly uniform, there's a slight wavering that gives the drawing a real human touch. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page, carefully tracing the curves of the beaker. I love the little details like the flourish of the inscription and Flynn's signature, which gives the image an archaic quality, contrasting with the modernity of the lines. There's a sense of precision but also an appreciation for imperfection. It reminds me a little bit of Agnes Martin's work, in the way that she used very simple forms to evoke a sense of calm and contemplation. But this is different too; this drawing is a record, a document, and an artwork, all in one. Ultimately, it is a work that invites you to slow down, to really see, and maybe even to question what it is that makes a thing, a thing.