Decanter c. 1938

Michael Fenga created this drawing, Decanter, using graphite and possibly watercolor washes. The composition is dominated by a single, centrally placed decanter that commands our attention through its elegant symmetry. The decanter is rendered with subtle tonal variations, creating an illusion of three-dimensionality. Notice how light plays across its surface, defining its form and suggesting transparency. The delicate etching of grapes adds a layer of visual interest, contrasting with the smooth glass. Fenga’s choice to isolate this object against a neutral background emphasizes its form, inviting us to consider its aesthetic qualities. This focus on the object itself, divorced from a narrative context, aligns with formalist principles. The drawing invites us to appreciate the object's lines, shape, and texture. It challenges the traditional hierarchies of art, where still life was often seen as a lesser genre. Fenga, instead, elevates the everyday object to a subject worthy of contemplation, prompting viewers to reconsider their relationship with the material world around them.