Pewter Coffee Pot c. 1936

This is Eugene Barrell’s pewter coffee pot, a drawing done with what looks like graphite or maybe charcoal. It's not so much about the subject of the pot, but more about the act of describing. The surface is smooth, almost metallic. You can see the gradations, where the artist has built up tone with subtle layers. The darkest darks are very present, but it’s also the range of grays that really catch my eye, making the whole thing shimmer. Look at the way Barrell renders the handle – the delicate curls and flourishes. It’s almost like a dance, a calligraphic gesture frozen in time. It reminds me a little of Morandi, the way he isolates everyday objects. Both artists invite us to slow down and see the world anew. It is a gentle reminder that art isn't about answers, it’s about the questions we ask and the way we ask them.