Bandbox 1935 - 1942

This is a bandbox, likely made sometime in the 19th century, and decorated with paint. The anonymous artist uses thin, almost translucent layers of color, creating a light and airy feel, like a watercolor on cardboard. It's all about the process, not perfection. Look at how the artist rendered the buildings and trees; there's a real sense of playfulness in the way they've simplified these complex forms. The paint isn’t trying to hide, but is there to be itself. See the little brushstrokes that build up the leaves of the trees and the delicate lines that define the windows? These create a tactile, almost whimsical quality, as the image is more of a feeling than a place. It makes me think a bit of the work of Florine Stettheimer, another artist who wasn’t afraid to embrace a kind of joyful naiveté in her painting. It shows that art doesn’t always have to be serious, it can be a little bit silly, and still be profound.