Lamp 1938

John Dana created this drawing of a lamp sometime in the 20th century, using watercolor and graphite on paper. The way the purple seeps into the page feels so considered, like Dana spent a lot of time watching the water do its thing. Look at the base of the lamp and notice the transparent layers that build up the solid form. It’s really interesting how Dana uses the texture of the paper to create highlights and shadows on the glass, it's like he’s letting the material do some of the work for him. The choice of purple throughout gives the piece a feeling of royalty and maybe even a touch of melancholy. This piece reminds me of the still-life paintings of Giorgio Morandi, who like Dana, found endless inspiration in the humble objects that surround us. Both artists invite us to slow down and really see the beauty in the everyday. Ultimately art is about exchange, it's less about solid meanings and more about the ongoing conversation.