Trivet c. 1939

This trivet rendering was made by Charles Cullen, at an unspecified date, using graphite and colored pencil on paper. Look at how Cullen methodically details the object. The even application of shading and shadow demonstrates a thoughtful process. It’s like a dance between observation and precision. The texture is smooth, almost metallic, and the subtle color variations give the trivet a tangible weight. He renders the circular forms and their intersections with a careful eye, giving the illusion of depth and volume. Notice the stippling on the circles, each mark building up the form. I am reminded of the work of Albrecht Durer in the way the artist has meticulously documented and recreated the scene. But there is also a sense of play, as if Cullen is exploring the possibilities of the medium. It reminds us that art is not just about the end result, but about the journey of discovery.