Silver Teapot c. 1935

Hester Duany made this drawing of a silver teapot, sometime between 1891 and 1964, probably with graphite on paper. Look at the tentative marks, the erased lines, and the ghosted images which are all part of the drawing. I can just imagine Duany sitting in her studio, carefully observing and rendering the gleaming surfaces of the metal. The reflections, the light, and the shadows. It seems that she uses delicate strokes, building up tone and texture to create a sense of depth. Notice how the artist adds little sketches around the main drawing. They’re like annotations or studies that add another layer of information. The handle is a bold, dark shape that anchors the whole composition. And, for me, the spout takes on a life of its own, like a bird’s beak. Ultimately, this work reminds me of an artist working through an idea, and a commitment to looking closely. That’s something all artists, past and present, have in common.