Pewter Tankard c. 1936

Charles Cullen made this drawing of a pewter tankard at an unknown date. The rendering of the metal is so smooth, like some grey, silky dream. I wonder what Charles was thinking while he was drawing. Did he drink from it? I can imagine the feeling of the cool metal against my lips, the weight of the handle in my hand. The even gradations of shading must have taken hours. It's a testament to the quiet act of looking, spending time with a single object. The slightly wonky perspective gives it a kind of vulnerability. It reminds me of Morandi's bottles – simple, everyday objects elevated through careful observation and mark-making. It’s like Cullen is saying, "Hey, look at this thing. Isn't it beautiful?" And you know what? It really is.