Lamp c. 1935

This ‘Lamp’ by Charles Caseau, is rendered in watercolour, and while the date is unknown, it feels both modern and old at the same time. The smooth washes and precise lines give the object a sculptural presence. It’s not just a representation; it's a meditation on form. The way the light catches the metallic surfaces, the gentle gradations of color, all speak to a deep understanding of materials. Look closely at the body of the lamp, you can see how each color is laid down in translucent layers, allowing the light to penetrate and reflect. There’s a quietness to the piece, a sense of stillness that invites contemplation. The more I look at it, the more I think of Giorgio Morandi, the way he turned the humblest of objects into something monumental. Like Morandi, Caseau makes us see the beauty in the everyday, the poetry in the mundane. Art isn’t about answers, it’s about opening up new possibilities.