Silver Tankard: Details c. 1938

Lawrence Flynn made this drawing of a silver tankard with a meticulous eye for detail. It's all about the line here, isn't it? A real celebration of what a simple mark can do. I'm drawn to the handle – look how Flynn uses the line to create a sense of volume and weight. The hatching marks give the illusion of shadow, making the handle almost leap off the page. And below it, the heraldic shield with its playful little details. It’s not just a drawing, it’s like a set of instructions, or a love letter to the craft of silversmithing. This reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin – the way she used simple lines to create complex, meditative spaces. Both artists, in their own way, invite us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the handmade mark, a testament to art’s endless conversation across time.