Silver Spoon c. 1936

Charlotte Winter made this drawing of a silver spoon, on an unknown date, using graphite and colored pencil on paper. It’s more than just a rendering; it's about how the artist looked, and how she brought the form of the spoon into being through a delicate, descriptive process. The way she shades is really interesting. The graphite is applied in layers, capturing the subtle gradations of light on the spoon's surface. Look at the bowl of the spoon, how the light seems to curve and settle, creating a soft, reflective quality. It's not just about depicting the object, but also about exploring the tonal range of graphite itself. The drawing is really all about process; the artist trying to figure out what it is, and how light falls on it. It reminds me of the work of Vija Celmins, who has a similar meticulous approach to depicting everyday objects. Art is always a conversation, an ongoing exploration of ways of seeing and understanding the world around us. There are no fixed answers, just more ways of looking.