Porcelain Jar c. 1936

Raymond Manupelli made this drawing of a porcelain jar, we don't know when exactly, but look how tenderly he's worked the graphite! There's a clear love for the material, with a whole range of soft greys, and the precision in the lines really elevates it. Looking closer, the surface of the jar is built up through countless tiny marks, each one carefully placed to create a sense of depth and volume. I'm drawn to the way he's handled the reflections, capturing the subtle gradations of light with such delicacy. See how the floral design is mirrored by the curving lines, and consider how this relates to the jar as a whole. It’s like the jar is breathing. The drawing reminds me a little of Agnes Martin's drawings, in the way that she also coaxed so much feeling out of the humblest materials. To me, this is a testament to the power of art to transform our perception of the everyday, inviting us to see beauty in the simplest of forms.