Whiskey Glass 1937

Ralph Atkinson made this Whiskey Glass out of watercolor on paper. I really like how the artist embraces the watery nature of the medium. Look closely, and you'll see how Atkinson has built up the form of the glass using subtle washes of color. The paint is applied thinly, allowing the light to reflect off the paper beneath, which creates a sense of luminosity. There's a real softness in the way he's handled the contours of the glass, and the subtle variations in tone suggest the way the light catches the surface. The artist does not shy away from the fact that the glass is both solid and transparent. This reminds me of some of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, where he also explores the quiet beauty of everyday objects. But while Morandi's paintings often have a sense of stillness and contemplation, Atkinson's watercolor feels more immediate and spontaneous. There's a sense of the artist capturing a fleeting moment, a quick study of light and form.