Coffee Mill c. 1940

Carl Buergerniss made this drawing of a coffee mill, sometime in the first half of the twentieth century, with what looks like graphite and watercolor. It’s a detailed, almost technical rendering, but it’s also got this weird, quiet energy. The way Buergerniss layers the watercolor washes, especially on the wood, gives it a depth that feels almost touchable. There's a kind of intense focus in the way he’s described the textures, from the grain of the wood to the worn metal of the grinder itself. Look at the handle, and the way it curves, and the little knob at the end. It’s not just a representation; it's like he’s inviting you to reach out and turn it. This drawing reminds me a bit of some of Giorgio Morandi’s still lifes, where everyday objects become these monumental, almost spiritual forms. Both artists share a similar sensitivity to humble objects, and a sense of making something extraordinary from the ordinary. Art isn’t just about grand gestures; it’s about seeing the world, and maybe this coffee mill, a little bit differently.