Window Cornice 1935 - 1942

Henry Murphy made this drawing of a window cornice, but we don't know when or with what. Looking at the marks, the way the paint sits so delicately on the paper, suggests a watercolor or gouache. The gold is a standout, isn't it? How it catches the light, even in a two-dimensional image. It reminds me of Gustav Klimt's paintings, how he used gold leaf to elevate his subjects. But here, the gold is used to depict an object, a design for a window cornice. The precision in the drawing, particularly in the rendering of the eagle at the center, speaks to a deep understanding of form and detail. And then there are the swan heads at either end, so elegant. It's funny how objects can carry so much meaning, how a window cornice can be more than just a window cornice. It's a conversation, an exchange of ideas across time. Art is never truly finished, is it?