Silver Tankard c. 1938

Lawrence Flynn made this drawing of a silver tankard with what looks like a simple pen or marker, focusing on the object's form and outline. It reminds us that even technical drawings can be beautiful in their own right. The drawing is spare and minimal; the handle is like a lovely, attenuated flourish that breaks up all the straight lines and right angles, softening the tankard’s rigid geometry. I wonder about the weight of the object and how its materiality would feel in the hand. The contrast between the anticipated density and the lightness of Flynn’s drawing makes me think about the nature of representation itself. Flynn’s approach echoes that of artists like Agnes Martin, who used simple forms and lines to create subtle and meditative works. It’s like art is a conversation that spans generations, with each artist adding their unique voice to the mix.