Grease Lamp c. 1939

Yolande Delasser's ‘Grease Lamp’ is a drawing, and what strikes me first is the attention to detail, the process of describing the object with such care and attention. It's like she’s trying to understand it, not just represent it. The drawing is almost monochromatic, focusing on texture and form. Look at the way she’s rendered the surface of the lamp, those tiny, almost imperceptible lines creating a sense of depth. You can imagine the weight of the object. There’s something really special about this—it feels both solid and fragile at the same time. See the small pouring spout that’s been carved out of the lamp's lip; it emphasizes how the lamp has been handled. Delasser's work reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, with that quiet, contemplative quality. Both artists share a fascination with everyday objects, elevating them to something profound through careful observation and a dedication to the process of looking. But maybe it's not just about what we see, but how we see and what we choose to focus on.