Silver Teapot 1935 - 1942

Here, we're looking at Gerald Bernhardt’s drawing, "Silver Teapot", made with pencil on paper. What strikes me is how much Bernhardt coaxes out of such a simple medium. The pencil marks build up to create a subtle gradation across the surface of the teapot, really giving you the sense of the light reflecting off the metal. It’s about touch, isn't it? And feel. Look closer, and you can see the tiny hatch marks. They aren't just shading; they're a way of feeling the form, contouring around the curves and edges of the teapot. It reminds me of Morandi, in a way. He uses a similar approach in his still life paintings, using humble materials to investigate the essential qualities of everyday objects. Both artists show us how art can be a way of seeing and experiencing the world with fresh eyes, finding beauty in the ordinary. It’s not just about the teapot, it's about the process of looking, feeling, and translating that experience onto paper.