Parasol c. 1941

Carl Buergerniss made this study of a parasol and lace with watercolor on paper. I love how the drawing almost dematerializes, like a ghost of an object. Look at how the umbrella is rendered, the delicate see-through fabric, and the suggestion of a ruffled trim. The paint handling is so precise, the tones built up with tiny touches of the brush. It’s a kind of drawing with paint. Look at how Buergerniss balances precision with a looseness, like in the details of the carved handle, where the light and shadow give it volume. Then, there’s the filigree of the lace, so detailed and exact. It makes me think of the way Durer would approach a botanical study – careful observation mixed with artistry. It reminds me of some of the textile designs of Sonia Delaunay, who was similarly obsessed with abstracting the patterns in clothing and domestic objects. Art is just this big conversation across time, isn't it? We take things and keep them, remix them, and make them our own.