Pewter Tankard c. 1936

Henry Meyers made this drawing of a pewter tankard, but when? I imagine him carefully observing, pencil in hand, mapping out the vessel’s curves and edges. Look closely, and you’ll notice the detailed renderings that surround the central image. It’s like he’s dissecting the tankard, pulling it apart to understand how each element contributes to the whole. What was he thinking as he captured the metallic sheen of the pewter, or the precise measurements of each component? These details remind me of the technical drawings you see in design or engineering—a blend of art and science. It’s a different kind of mark-making than we see in painting, yet no less expressive. It makes me consider the artist's role in documenting and celebrating everyday objects. Meyers is in conversation with other artists, designers and makers, each contributing to a larger understanding of form, function, and beauty.