Pa. German Music Box 1935 - 1942

Charlotte Angus made this watercolor of a Pa. German Music Box. It is an unusual subject and one which makes me think about the relationship between observation and imagination. Angus's mark-making is meticulous, precise, and controlled, with delicate brushstrokes and subtle gradations of tone. The texture created is almost like a veil or a whisper, a quietness that draws you in. Look closely, and you can see her working out the three-dimensional form, turning simple shapes into figures in space. The overall effect is dreamlike and invites contemplation. I particularly like the way she has captured the wood grain on the box, it makes the whole thing feel very real. Like the work of Charles Sheeler, Angus’s painting embraces simplicity, celebrating everyday objects with a modern eye. Art is always a conversation, a dance between artists across time.