Stove c. 1937

This drawing of a stove was made by Harry G. Aberdeen, but we don’t know when. The subtle gradations of tone, achieved with graphite or charcoal, give it a real sense of depth and volume. It’s not just a flat image; it feels like you could reach out and touch it. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines used to create the metallic sheen. It’s all about building up layers, a slow, deliberate process. The details, like the decorative flourishes on the base, suggest a real appreciation for craft and design. Notice the shadows; they’re soft, almost like the stove is glowing from within. Aberdeen was a generation older, but this piece puts me in mind of the quiet, contemplative drawings of Giorgio Morandi. Like Morandi, Aberdeen finds beauty in the everyday, in the humble objects that surround us. Ultimately this drawing celebrates the artistry that can be found in the most ordinary of things.