Wine Glass c. 1939

Michael Fenga rendered this wine glass in graphite, and the process feels as delicate as the glass itself. The way the light catches the curves of the glass is so carefully observed, and you can almost hear the clink of the glass, right? Fenga achieves a kind of luminosity through the subtle gradations of tone. Look at the base, how the graphite swirls and reflects, creating this dizzying effect. It reminds me of those early minimalist drawings, like Agnes Martin, where the grid is barely there. It's like Fenga is saying, "Hey, even a simple object can be a universe of light and form." It’s a humble subject, elevated through the sheer act of looking, of paying attention. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.