Pewter Inkwell c. 1936

This Pewter Inkwell drawing was made by Salvatore Borrazzo. Look at the graphite pencil work! It is so precise. I'm thinking about Salvatore at the time of making this. What was he thinking? What was his intention? It must have taken him a long time to get those tonal variations just right, from the silvery highlights to the deep shadows. Maybe he was interested in the interplay of light and shadow, or maybe he was just trying to capture the object's physical presence in a highly detailed way. There's a quietness about the work, a contemplative stillness. The inkwell sits there, dignified and still, a silent witness to countless hours of writing and reflection. It reminds me of a still life painting, something like Morandi might have done. You know, something that's both ordinary and profound at the same time. Ultimately, art is about exchange, isn’t it? Borrazzo gives us this, and we in turn bring our own experiences, feelings, and thoughts to the work, creating a whole new layer of meaning.