Lamp c. 1940

Carl Buergerniss made this small, rather lovely watercolour called ‘Lamp’ sometime in the first half of the 20th century. I’m guessing he painted it in his studio – the kind of place where light filters in just so, creating a hushed, almost reverent atmosphere. I can imagine Buergerniss carefully mixing his watercolors, diluting them to just the right consistency to capture the lamp's delicate curves and the intricate details of its design. He would’ve applied each stroke with precision and patience, building up the layers of color to create a sense of depth and volume. The thin washes of colour allow the white of the page to shine through, giving the lamp an almost ethereal quality. I think he was trying to achieve a sense of realism while also imbuing the object with a sense of beauty and nostalgia. He reminds me a little of Morandi, who painted bottles. It’s this combination of precision and poetry that makes the painting so appealing, a reminder of the quiet beauty that can be found in the everyday objects that surround us.