Betty Lamp c. 1936

James M. Lawson made this drawing of a Betty Lamp, but the date is unknown. It's made with pencil and watercolor on paper. It’s interesting how Lawson brings so much definition and clarity to this rather ordinary object. The delicate use of line and subtle shading creates a sense of depth and volume, making the lamp almost feel three-dimensional. It’s not just a representation of the object, but rather an exploration of form and light. Look at the way Lawson renders the metallic surfaces, using soft gradations to suggest the play of light and shadow. There’s a real sense of care and attention in the way each element is depicted, from the slender rod to the rounded shape of the lamp itself. You could almost mistake it for the work of Giorgio Morandi, with that Italian’s similar dedication to the careful rendering of common objects. But, I suppose, where Morandi uses muted tonal variation, Lawson creates something with an almost diagrammatic approach to shading. Either way, both artists encourage us to really see the beauty in the everyday.