"Sparking" Lamp c. 1938

John Dana’s lamp shimmers into being through delicate pencil strokes and quiet shading. I imagine Dana’s process was one of patient observation, capturing not just the object but the light playing across its surface. You know, making a drawing like this isn’t just about skill, it’s about a kind of intimate connection, right? I can almost see him, leaning in, squinting slightly, chasing those subtle shifts in tone. It’s like he’s trying to understand the very essence of this little lamp. The handle curves so gently, and the way he’s rendered the ribbed glass gives it this wonderful sense of depth. It reminds me a bit of Morandi and his bottles, in that it elevates the mundane to something almost holy. It’s like Dana is asking us to pause, to really look, and to find beauty in the simplest things. A simple vessel becomes a focal point, reflecting light and shadow, and inviting quiet contemplation. I love that.