Pewter Pitcher 1936

Charles Cullen made this drawing of a pewter pitcher, probably in the early to mid 20th century, with graphite on paper. I love the way he's used a soft, almost smudgy application of graphite to convey the sheen and texture of the metal. The drawing has this beautiful, luminous quality; Cullen really captures how light plays across the surface, especially on the body of the pitcher, where the graphite is layered to create a subtle gradient from light to dark, giving it real volume and weight. Look at the confident lines that define the handle, contrasting with the more tentative, sketchy marks used to describe the feet. There's a real sense of the artist exploring the object, figuring out its form and presence on the page. It reminds me of some of Morandi's still life paintings, with their quiet contemplation of everyday objects. There's a stillness here that invites you to slow down and really look. It's a reminder that even the most ordinary things can be extraordinary when seen through the eyes of an artist.