Bank of Industry c. 1938

This watercolor painting of a ‘Bank of Industry’ was made by William O. Fletcher, though we don’t know exactly when. The colour palette is muted, but the way the tones shift creates a kind of shimmering surface that suggests light and shadow. The way the paint’s been applied gives the depicted object a real sense of depth and texture. You can almost feel the cool, rough metal under your fingertips. The artist has used a dry brush technique, allowing the paper's texture to show through, especially around the edges, making it feel worn, almost ancient. Look closely at the lock on the front, the way the yellow pigment glows against the dark metal, it’s a small detail, but it pops. The loose, expressive brushwork reminds me of Marsden Hartley's late paintings. Both artists share a similar approach to form and colour, and this piece, like Hartley's, embraces ambiguity. It’s like the conversation between artists keeps going and going, echoing across time.