Silver Teapot c. 1936

Hester Duany made this drawing of a silver teapot with pencil on paper, but when is anyone's guess. I love the simple, direct, attention to detail. The way Duany shades to describe the form of the teapot is quite lovely. Look at how she uses the pencil to suggest the reflective quality of the silver, especially around the lid. I also notice the dark handle, which is rendered smoothly in comparison to the body of the teapot. The details on the pot, the monogram, and the frieze are so beautiful and really shows the artist's skill and interest. It reminds me of some of the more subdued drawings of Giorgio Morandi, who dedicated himself to drawing and painting humble vessels and domestic objects, exploring the subtle modulations of light and form. Maybe, like Morandi, Duany was interested in elevating the ordinary to something sublime, finding beauty in the everyday. What do you think?