Silver Sugar Bowl c. 1936

Aaron Fastovsky made this drawing of a silver sugar bowl, we don’t have a date, but it gives you a sense of his process. The marks build up slowly, creating subtle gradations of tone. I think of it as a kind of tender observation. Look closely, and you can see how the graphite captures the delicate sheen of the metal. The way the light glances off the curves and edges gives it a real sense of volume. Fastovsky pays attention to the small details. The monogram etched on the side feels so personal. The way Fastovsky renders this everyday object reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi. He also had a way of turning simple vessels into these quiet, monumental forms. Both artists seem to be saying something about the beauty of the ordinary and the potential for art to transform how we see the world around us. In the end, art is a conversation, and this is a beautiful contribution.