Napoleon Toby Mug c. 1939

Grace Halpin made this pencil drawing of a Napoleon Toby Mug, but when is another question entirely, spanning most of the 20th Century. It’s all about tone here, that delicate dance between light and shadow, isn't it? The pencil work feels so considered, each area carefully built up, like she’s trying to capture not just the look of the mug, but its very essence. Halpin’s drawing is a loving testament to the object. Check out the way the light catches the brim of Napoleon’s hat, how it gently curves. It reminds me that making art is a conversation, a back and forth between the artist and their subject. Like the drawings of Giorgio Morandi, Halpin shares a similar attentiveness to the quiet beauty of everyday objects. This drawing isn't just about Napoleon; it's about Halpin's relationship with the mug, her way of seeing and understanding the world.