Mortar and Pestles c. 1937

Elizabeth Moutal made this drawing of mortars and pestles, we don't know when, using what looks like graphite and colored pencil. The evenness of tone and the detailed shading suggest a patient, methodical process; she’s really taken her time with it. It’s interesting to me, the care and attention she gives to rendering these everyday objects. There’s a loving quality to the way she depicts the different textures and colors of the wood, the weightiness and solidity of each form. Look at the way she uses light and shadow to define the curves and contours of the central mortar. There's a real sense of depth and volume in these simple shapes. Moutal’s piece reminds me of the still life paintings of Giorgio Morandi. Like him, she finds beauty and interest in the mundane, transforming humble objects into things of contemplation and wonder. Ultimately, art invites us to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the world around us. It’s a way of making sense of the everyday, and finding meaning in the ordinary.