Whale Oil Lamp c. 1940

William O. Fletcher made this painting of a Whale Oil Lamp with watercolour and graphite, a humble rendering of a utilitarian object. I can imagine him working meticulously, capturing the subtle gradations of light on its surface. I wonder, what was Fletcher thinking about as he worked on this painting? Was he interested in the contrast between the lamp’s metallic finish and the soft glow it would have cast when lit? You can see the paint is applied thinly, creating a smooth surface that mimics the reflective quality of metal. Look at how Fletcher used delicate strokes to define the shape of the lamp, how the object emerges into three dimensions. It’s as if Fletcher is inviting us to reflect on the quiet beauty of everyday objects. Artists are always in dialogue, building on the ideas of those who came before. This modest painting reminds us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that artists, like Fletcher, help us to see the world in new ways.