Wine Glass c. 1940

John Dana’s wine glass shimmers on a page in graphite and ink. Imagine Dana, with his draftsman’s precision, and a deep love of the everyday. It feels like he’s saying, “Stop! Look at this humble object!” See how the ink thins and pools, how its reflections articulate the subtle curves of glass. Each stroke is a meditation on light, form, and transparency. I wonder if he was thinking of Morandi and his still lifes. Like the Italian master, he creates a sense of calm and quiet contemplation, focusing on the simple beauty of a glass. It’s almost an act of devotion. He takes something so ordinary and makes us see it anew. Artists are always looking, always in conversation, saying, "Hey, check this out!" Isn’t it gorgeous?