Door Handle c. 1941

This "Door Handle" was rendered in graphite on paper by Jacob Lipkin sometime around the mid-20th century. It reminds us that artmaking can be a really direct, process-oriented thing. Look closely, and you can see the graphite is layered to create a sense of depth, like the handle is almost popping off the page. The texture Lipkin achieves, it's not just about replicating what he sees, it’s about the physicality of mark-making. The way the graphite smudges and catches the light gives it a tactile presence, you want to reach out and touch it. The slight imperfections and variations in tone make it more alive, more human. I love how Lipkin takes something so ordinary, so utilitarian, and turns it into an object of contemplation. Much like Morandi. Art is an ongoing conversation. It's not about having the final word, but about adding your voice to the mix.