Candlesticks c. 1937

Leo Drozdoff made this drawing of candlesticks with what looks like pencil and maybe some kind of colored pencil or crayon. What strikes me is how the metallic shine is created not with fancy tricks, but just with simple, rhythmic marks. Looking closely, you can see how the pencil lines build up, almost like the object is being sculpted right on the paper. The base of the candlestick has a complex, faceted surface, and Drozdoff really digs into that, creating a kind of topographical map with his pencil. The cool blues and grays give a sense of the object's weight and solidity, but there's also a lightness to the touch, a playfulness in the way the marks are laid down. It’s about the physical act of describing something, not just copying it. This reminds me of Morandi's still lifes, where everyday objects become monumental through the sheer act of looking and marking, a testament to how art transforms the mundane into something deeply meaningful.