Lamp c. 1936

This pencil drawing of a lamp was made by Burton Ewing, an artist who lived a long life, from 1855 to 1995. It’s so precise, so carefully rendered, you can almost feel the coolness of the metal. Look at how Ewing has built up the form with layers of graphite. It's a real study in tone, shifting from the lightest greys to almost black. There's a real beauty in the way he uses light and shadow to give this simple object weight and presence. It's kind of magical how something so ordinary can become so compelling through the artist's attention. Notice the subtle way he’s handled the surface of the lamp, capturing the smooth, reflective quality of the metal. It reminds me of some of the still life drawings by Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in everyday objects. Ultimately, this drawing celebrates the quiet beauty of the mundane. It's a reminder that art can be found anywhere, in the simplest of things, if we take the time to really look.