Goblet c. 1936

This "Goblet" by John Dana is rendered with graphite on paper. The approach to mark making here is so delicate, almost like a whisper. It reminds me of the quiet concentration needed when you're trying to capture something fragile and ephemeral, like light filtering through glass. The graphite is applied so thinly that it barely registers as a presence. It's transparent, allowing the paper to breathe and create a luminous effect. The physical act of drawing is almost concealed, which is interesting because you can see the ghost of a bird and flower on the glass. The bird reminds me of a Matisse cutout, somehow. Dana's work reminds me of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, where simple objects are imbued with a sense of contemplation and quiet beauty. They both share this love of everyday objects. It's as if they are reminding us to slow down and appreciate the simple things.