Bank Pidgeon 1935 - 1942

Emanuel Jacobson painted this 'Bank Pidgeon,' and he used watercolor, I imagine with small, soft brushes. The colour palette is muted and quite restrained with blues and greens providing a stark contrast to the bird's white form. It's like a delicate dance of control and looseness, which for me, is what artmaking is all about. The texture here is fascinating. The paint looks thin, almost transparent, allowing the paper's surface to peek through, which creates a sense of depth and airiness. I'm drawn to how the bird sits on what looks like a ceramic vase. The mark making around the base is particularly interesting. It's kind of rough and asymmetrical, adding a quirky, handmade feel to the piece. It reminds me a little bit of the work of Redon. There is a similar dreamlike quality and interest in capturing the delicate balance between representation and abstraction. Ultimately, this painting celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the ongoing conversation between artists across time.