Gold Brooch c. 1940

Isidore Steinberg made this drawing of a gold brooch, we don't know when, using what looks like watercolor and pencil. What I find fascinating is the way Steinberg captures the essence of the brooch through these delicate lines and washes of color. Look at the top image, at how the gold shimmers, it's as if Steinberg is showing us the brooch as a process, rather than just a static object. The way the pencil sketch is visible underneath the washes of gold and brown pigment emphasizes how drawing is a journey, with each mark building on the last. Then notice how the lines of the lower two images seem unfinished, like the artist is inviting us to imagine and complete the piece ourselves. It reminds me a bit of the drawings of Gustav Klimt, or maybe even some outsider art - where the process of creation is as important as the final product. It's a reminder that art isn't about perfection; it's about exploration and discovery.