Mourning Ring c. 1936

This is Michael Fenga’s drawing of a “Mourning Ring” made at some point in the 20th century. It’s made up of three almost ghost-like diagrams sketched onto the paper, as if the ring has been X-rayed or appears in multiple dimensions all at once. I imagine Michael Fenga sitting at his desk, carefully rendering the delicate curves and details of this ring. The precision of his lines suggests a deep respect for the object and its emotional significance. What did this ring mean to him? Was it an artifact he was asked to copy? Did it belong to a loved one, a memento of loss, or a celebration of memory? The light washes of colour bring a sensitivity and care to the piece. The pale grey stone, in the ring’s setting, evokes a sense of sadness, but also of beauty and preciousness. Fenga’s image allows us to think about the intimate connections we forge with objects.