Pewter Flagon 1935 - 1942

Charles Cullen drew this pewter flagon, likely with graphite, but the date remains a mystery. The grey hues blend seamlessly, creating a shiny metallic illusion. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the soft gradations define the curves and edges of the flagon. The handle is an intriguing swirl that makes you think of smoke or steam. Cullen’s meticulous attention to detail transforms an everyday object into an object of quiet contemplation. The use of graphite allows for such subtle modulations of tone, making the flagon appear almost three-dimensional. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, in its humble focus and muted palette. Both Cullen and Morandi reveal the beauty in the banal.