Table Lamp 1935 - 1942

Ray Price, who lived from 1855 to 1995, made this Table Lamp, and it’s a real exercise in how to create something with very few materials. It’s watercolor, and it's all about the wash. Look how the color is built up in layers, especially in the detailing around the base. It’s very thin paint, you can see the paper showing through. It’s a delicate balancing act. Check out how he suggests the roundness of the lamp's globe with just a hint of shadow and tone. The way he’s used the white of the paper to create luminosity. It’s a great example of how simple techniques, used with skill and consideration, can still create something striking. It reminds me a little of Charles Demuth, but with less overt geometry. It's a conversation across time, each artist picking up the thread, interpreting it in their own way.