Silver Tankard c. 1936

This is Isidore Steinberg’s ‘Silver Tankard,’ drawn with pencil on paper, but I can’t tell when it was made. It’s not a shiny silver, more like a quiet gray. A study of light and shadow, isn't it? Look closely, and you’ll see how Steinberg uses the pencil like he's caressing the surface of the tankard, building up tone slowly and methodically. It’s all about the subtle shifts in value, from the almost-white highlights to the deep, dark shadows, that give the tankard its form and weight. And those little details, like the monogram on the side – they make the whole thing sing. The way the pencil marks catch the light, and the way they create a sense of depth and volume, remind me a little bit of Vija Celmins’ drawings. It's a testament to the power of observation and the magic that can happen when you slow down and really look. It's a drawing of a vessel, of course, but it's also a vessel for seeing.