Weather Vane c. 1937

This watercolor of a weather vane was painted by Walter Hochstrasser, sometime in the 20th century. Look how Hochstrasser builds up the image through layers of thin, washy pigment. You can almost feel the wind shaping the rooster's feathers, each stroke carefully placed, like a dance between control and chance. What I find so compelling is the way he captures the texture of the metal with such delicate washes. See how the subtle gradations of color create depth and volume, as if the rooster could step right off the page? Notice the way the light catches the crest, a simple highlight that brings the whole piece to life. It makes you think about what we see when we look at everyday objects, not just their form, but the way light and shadow play across their surfaces. It reminds me a little of Charles Sheeler's paintings of barns, in the way it elevates a humble object to something monumental.