Plate 24: The Lost Child of Atocha: From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" 1935 - 1942

This image, "The Lost Child of Atocha" from "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico", is a watercolor and graphite piece by an anonymous artist, and what strikes me first is the directness of the marks. It's like a child's drawing, but imbued with a deep sense of cultural narrative. Look closely, and you'll see the washes of color applied so simply, yet they give form to the figure and the surrounding scene. The texture of the paper peeks through, reminding us of the physical reality of the piece. The dark graphite lines confidently define shapes and add a sense of depth. Notice how the headdress, with its quirky plume, echoes the swirling forms of the staff. It makes me think of Henri Rousseau, another artist who embraced a kind of naïve vision. There’s a beautiful awkwardness here, a willingness to let the materials speak. Art isn’t about perfection, it’s about expression.