Candlestick c. 1938

Charles Caseau made this drawing of a candlestick, we don't know when, using what looks like graphite or charcoal. You can see each of the marks, like a quiet dance of observation. I imagine Caseau, with his eyes fixed on the object, thinking about the interplay of light and shadow on its surface. The base flares out, solid and grounded, while the stem rises up, delicate and slender. What did he think about, alone in the studio, drawing a candlestick? The subtle gradations of tone create a sense of volume, as if the candlestick exists in three dimensions. There's a stillness to the composition, a sense of contemplation. It reminds me of other artists who explore humble objects. It is an act of care, isn't it? A celebration of the everyday. Artists are always in conversation with one another, drawing inspiration from the world around them and from the works of those who came before. This candlestick, rendered with such sensitivity and skill, is a testament to the enduring power of observation and the quiet beauty of the ordinary.