Figurehead from "Kenilworth" 1935 - 1942

Curry M. Bartlett made this watercolor, Figurehead from "Kenilworth," during his lifetime, which spanned from the mid-19th to the late 20th century. I can only imagine Bartlett, peering closely, brush in hand, trying to capture every delicate curve and shadow of this figurehead. He’s using a limited palette—soft grays, muted blues, and touches of gold—the watercolour washes creating a dreamy, ethereal feel. The paint is thin, almost translucent, allowing the paper to breathe through. Look at the way he painted her face, how he used the light to model her form. You can feel the hand of the artist here, I think. It is a quiet and gentle pursuit, far from the bravado of so much history painting. His painting reminds me that art is so often about the simple, quiet act of looking and seeing.