Miniature Bellows Bottle c. 1936

This "Miniature Bellows Bottle" by John Tarantino, made with graphite on paper, seems to capture a moment of quiet observation. I wonder if Tarantino found himself drawn to the play of light on the bottle’s surface. The delicate gradations of tone, from the softest grays to deeper shadows, suggest a careful study of form and light. It feels like he’s tracing the outlines of the object, gently coaxing it into existence. The drawing has a stillness, a sense of contemplation that invites us to slow down and really look. There is a quiet precision. Looking at the delicate lines, I wonder if Tarantino was thinking about the Dutch still life painters, who turned everyday objects into things of wonder. Or was he just compelled by the simple beauty of this little bottle? Maybe it reminded him of something, a memory, or a person? Whatever the reason, I’m grateful he took the time to draw it. It makes me want to pick up a pencil and start sketching.