Porringer 1938

E.J. Gilsleider made this drawing of a porringer, we don’t know when, but it’s rendered with graphite and colored pencil on paper. Look at the way Gilsleider lets the pencil strokes build up, creating this soft, diffused effect, like looking at something through a gentle haze. It's like the drawing emerged gradually, bit by bit, a quiet, contemplative process. The color palette is muted, almost monochromatic, with these subtle gradations of gray and brown that give the porringer a sense of depth and weight. It’s interesting how the texture of the paper comes through, adding another layer of tactility to the image. See how the artist lingers over the handle, with its delicate curves and flourishes. There’s a real sense of care and attention to detail. This piece reminds me of the still-life work of Giorgio Morandi. Both artists share a similar interest in the quiet, unassuming beauty of everyday objects, and the way they can be transformed through close observation and careful rendering.