Wash Bowl and Pitcher c. 1938

Frank Fumagalli made this drawing of a Wash Bowl and Pitcher, and the first thing that strikes me is the beautiful economy of his line. He’s not just copying; he’s thinking through the form, using lines to suggest light and volume. It's all in the surface. See how the texture of the paper is allowed to breathe through the drawing? The color is muted, almost monochromatic, but within that limited range, Fumagalli finds a surprising amount of variation. The subtle shifts in tone create a sense of depth and roundness. Look closely at how he renders the facets of the pitcher, using a slightly darker tone on one side to suggest shadow. It's a simple trick, but it works wonders. There’s a kind of quiet confidence in the mark making. There is a link here to Giorgio Morandi's still life work, an interest in the quiet dignity of everyday objects. Like Morandi, Fumagalli invites us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of the world around us, understanding that ambiguity is not a weakness but a source of richness and depth.