Covered Compote c. 1939

Beverly Chichester created this 'Covered Compote' watercolor on paper. The interplay of the emerald green vessel against the pale backdrop immediately draws the eye. The smooth, almost glossy texture, achieved through delicate washes, gives the compote an appealing tactile quality. The composition, simple yet elegant, underscores the structure of the form. Note how the artist’s rendering of light emphasizes the compote's curves, from the spherical finial to the flared base. This attention to form isn't just aesthetic; it speaks to broader artistic concerns of the time. Artists were increasingly interested in the object itself, divorcing it from mere utility and elevating it to a subject worthy of contemplation. Consider how Chichester’s subtle use of shadowing complicates the otherwise simple form. The slight darkening at the base of the stem and along the contours suggests a deeper investigation of the object's physical presence and challenges our fixed perceptions of space and light.