Inkwell c. 1936

John Fisk made this drawing of an inkwell on paper, but we don't know exactly when. I love the way he's used such a limited palette, almost a monochrome, to describe this object. It feels very studied, and perhaps even a little bit obsessive. The texture of the inkwell is really interesting. The way the light catches the surface, especially on the top and around the decorative band, gives it a kind of jewel-like quality. But the overall effect is quite muted and subtle, very different from the slickness of, say, a Warhol silkscreen. There's a softness to the drawing, maybe due to the paper or the type of pencil he used, that makes it feel very intimate. It reminds me a little of some of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, with their quiet contemplation of everyday objects. I think both artists share a similar sensibility, finding beauty in the mundane and inviting us to slow down and really look. Ultimately, this drawing isn't just about an inkwell, it's about seeing.