Pa. German Coffee Pot c. 1936

This drawing of a Pa. German Coffee Pot was made by Herman Bader, we don't know when exactly, but perhaps it doesn't matter. I love that this is just a humble drawing, almost like a technical study, but it sings with light. Look at how Bader has rendered the shine of the pot. It's not hyperreal, but in the gentle gradations of graphite, we sense the material and how light reflects on it. See the carefully drawn floral decoration on the pot's belly? It’s like folk art meets metalwork. Each mark feels deliberate, giving the object a quiet, dignified presence. The undulating lines around the base of the pot also add a sense of rhythm, like a visual echo of the liquid it might hold. It makes me think of other artists who blurred the line between representation and abstraction, like Charles Sheeler with his industrial landscapes, finding beauty in everyday objects. In its simplicity, this drawing invites us to slow down and appreciate the artistry in the mundane.