Bandbox - Firemen Scene c. 1939

Walter Doran made this 'Bandbox - Firemen Scene' sometime between 1855 and 1995, using what looks like watercolor to bring the scene to life. I love how the whole thing is a process of layering, like a collage but with paint. The texture is smooth, but you can almost feel the grit of the paper underneath. The yellow background peeks through in spots, giving it this kind of raw, unfinished vibe. And then there are these delicate, almost playful strokes that build up the firemen and the buildings. It's like Doran wasn't trying to hide the process but celebrate it. Check out the fire truck—the number ‘13’ almost glows against the muted tones. It’s a small detail, but it pulls you in, doesn’t it? This piece reminds me a bit of Martin Ramirez, another artist who used simple materials to create complex worlds. It's like they're both having a conversation across time about memory, place, and the stories we tell ourselves.