Pewter Porringer c. 1936

This Pewter Porringer, made by Arsen Maralian, feels like a study in gray. Look at how the artist coaxes so many different shades from what seems, at first glance, like such a limited palette. It shows you that the process is about finding a way to work with the tools you have. There’s such a beautiful depth to this image, achieved through those subtle shifts in tone. The way the pencil seems to glide across the surface, building up layers to create form, is remarkable. Focus on the small, almost imperceptible details around the edge of the porringer, the way the metal seems to curve and catch the light. This is what creates a sense of solidity. Maralian reminds me a bit of Giorgio Morandi, who also found infinite possibilities in the everyday. Both artists encourage us to look closer, to find beauty in the understated, and to understand that art is really about seeing.