Gold Purse c. 1938

Ralph Morton’s watercolor of a gold purse feels like a tender, loving act of observation. I can imagine him, squinting slightly, trying to capture the way the light catches the gold trim, and the soft texture of the purse itself. Look at the colors – muted, almost whispering, with delicate floral embroidery. It’s not about bravado or big gestures, it’s a quiet kind of looking. The central motif is a simple star, rendered in the same golden thread. It’s like a little sun, radiating warmth and light. It’s a gentle invitation to slow down, to notice the beauty in the everyday, and to appreciate the skill and care that went into creating this small, precious object. It reminds me a bit of Morandi, that same humble attention. I like to think about artists through time looking at each other's work and learning, and borrowing, and riffing. It's like a big, ongoing conversation.