Trivet c. 1938

This line drawing of a metal trivet was made by Roy Weber sometime between 1855 and 1995. Just looking at the image, I can imagine Weber experimenting with ways to describe the object through line, shadow, and form. It looks as though he considered every angle, mapping out the object like a kind of structural puzzle. You can see how the legs curve to support the center, and the metal extensions create a sense of balance. This attention to detail and line weight gives the trivet a solid, almost architectural quality. It reminds me of other artists’ work of a similar ilk; a kind of art historical conversation across time, each artist bringing their individual perspective and approach to drawing. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to consider the beauty in simple, everyday objects, and the artistry involved in representing them.