Dairy Maid Doll c. 1937

Beverly Chichester made this watercolor painting of a doll. At first glance, it may look like a straightforward depiction, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Watercolor offers a unique transparency, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of luminosity. The wispy, washy application of the paint gives a softness to the image, almost like a memory or a dream. This is particularly apparent in the rendering of the doll's dress, where the fabric seems to float and flow. But there's also a fascinating contrast at play. The doll itself, with its meticulously rendered costume and accessories, speaks to the tradition of craft. It's a reminder of the labor and skill involved in creating such objects, as well as the cultural values they embody. Dolls have often served as symbols of childhood, domesticity, and even social status. By presenting this doll through the lens of watercolor painting, Chichester invites us to reconsider the relationship between high art and craft, urging us to see the inherent value and meaning in both.