Mortar and Pestle c. 1938

Anne Colman made this drawing of a mortar and pestle using watercolor, and I can imagine her carefully studying the object, trying to capture its form and texture with each brushstroke. It’s really brown! The warm tones of the wood, rendered in subtle gradations, give the object a sense of weight and solidity. You can see the care with which Colman observed the play of light on the surface, delineating the simple cylindrical shape of the mortar and the smooth curve of the pestle. I wonder what Colman was thinking as she worked on this piece. Was she interested in the object's utilitarian purpose, or did she see it as a symbol of something more? There's a quiet, contemplative quality to the drawing that suggests a deeper engagement with the subject. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in humble, everyday objects. These artists are in ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity.