Pewter Teapot c. 1937

Eugene Croe made this pewter teapot drawing, and you can see he's really interested in the play of light on its surface. The rendering is soft and almost photographic, with a limited color palette focusing on subtle gradations of gray. The surface is smooth, with almost no visible brushstrokes, but the form itself is compelling; the curve of the spout, the elegant handle. It’s like Croe is really trying to nail the three-dimensional feel of this everyday object. Look at the way the light catches the top of the teapot. The reflection has a real solidity which gives the object weight and presence. You could maybe think of Morandi who worked with a similar muted palette and similarly explored the beauty of the still life. Ultimately, art is always a conversation, a borrowing and responding across generations.