Spice Grinder c. 1937

This pencil drawing of a Spice Grinder was made by Francis Law Durand, but we don't know when. It has a studied feel, like an architect or an inventor has drawn it; each of its component parts carefully delineated. The rendering is meticulous, and you can almost feel the smooth, cool stone of the grinding ball. Notice how the artist has used light and shadow to give the object a sense of volume and weight, a quality that asks you to think about the materials in front of you. On the upper left of the drawing Durand has provided a technical diagram, two schematic drawings which show the object from different angles. I wonder if Durand was interested in the spice grinder for its beauty or for its practical application? Durand’s drawing reminds me of the work of Vija Celmins, in the way it elevates an everyday object through the act of careful observation and rendering. Art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes it whispers, inviting us to slow down and really see.