Lantern c. 1938

Walter Hochstrasser made this “Lantern” using watercolor and graphite on paper. I love how Hochstrasser captured the subtle sheen of the metal! You can almost feel the cool touch of its surface, and imagine how the candlelight might flicker through its intricate patterns. It’s like he's inviting us to consider how something functional can also be beautiful, how light and shadow play together to create warmth and depth. I imagine Hochstrasser carefully observing every detail, trying to translate the three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional space. What was he thinking as he painted? Was he drawn to its simple elegance, or was he more interested in its practical purpose? This reminds me of other artists who celebrate the everyday, like Giorgio Morandi with his still lifes of bottles and jars. There’s a quiet contemplation here, a focus on the overlooked beauty of ordinary things. It reminds me that painting isn't just about representation, it's about seeing and feeling.