Goblet c. 1936

This drawing of a goblet, with its subtle graphite marks and quiet tonality, was made by John Dana sometime in the twentieth century. I imagine Dana carefully building up layers of graphite to create the illusion of transparency and form. Look at the delicate lines that suggest the etched floral and avian motifs on the glass. It's clear that Dana enjoyed the challenge of rendering reflective surfaces and intricate details. I can imagine him squinting at the goblet, really trying to decipher the way light plays across its surface. I wonder if this drawing was part of a larger series, maybe studies for functional glassware, or perhaps the simple pleasure of capturing the beauty of everyday objects in line and tone. It’s like a Morandi only with glass instead of bottles. Whether influenced by Precisionism or not, there is a timeless quality here. After all, artists are always looking, learning, and drawing inspiration from the world around them, engaging in a silent dialogue across decades and movements.