Roasing Oven c. 1937

Samuel Fineman made this drawing of a roasting oven, but exactly when, I'm not sure. What strikes me is his approach, so deliberate, almost scientific, yet rendered with such delicate precision. You can see the gentle gradation of tone, moving from light to shadow, describing form in a way that feels both mechanical and deeply human. The drawing’s surface has a subtle texture to it, but overall it is a cool, industrial object depicted with a sense of care. Look at the way Fineman uses the white of the paper to suggest the inside of the oven; it's a pure, untouched space, a blank canvas awaiting transformation. The metal of the oven, rendered in shades of gray, feels smooth and cool to the touch. You can almost feel the weight and solidity of the object. Fineman’s drawing reminds me a bit of the meticulous work of Agnes Martin, though Martin was more interested in abstract forms. Both show a similar dedication to their craft and a willingness to embrace ambiguity.