Hadley Chest c. 1936

Victor Muollo made this drawing of a Hadley Chest with an unknown medium on paper. The linear quality and attention to surface detail really speaks to me; it's like the artist is working through something, patiently mapping out the object. I'm really drawn to the way he renders the wood grain; it’s more than just observation, it’s like he's feeling the texture with his eyes and hand. Look at the way the light catches the top edge of the chest, the artist has built up this area with thin layers of pigment. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s paintings in the way she uses grids and subtle color shifts to create a sense of quiet contemplation. The whole piece feels like an act of preservation, a quiet homage to craft, and the beauty of everyday objects.