Broom 1935 - 1942

Peter Antonelli made this drawing of a broom sometime in the 20th century, using graphite and colored pencil. It's amazing how the simplest object, rendered with such care, can become so compelling. You can see every stroke, every decision. Looking closely, notice the handle, how it's not just a flat red, but a layering of tones that give it depth, like wood grain. And then the straw, each strand meticulously drawn, bound together. The texture is so palpable, I can almost feel the rough bristles against my skin. It’s like Antonelli is saying, "Pay attention, even to the mundane, the everyday". It reminds me a bit of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting bottles, finding endless variations in simple forms. Art isn't about grand gestures, it's about seeing. Antonelli's broom is an invitation to really see. To see the world around us with curiosity and attention.