Tin Stove c. 1937

Vincent P. Rosel made this watercolor of a tin stove, we don't know exactly when. Look at the way he carefully constructs the image with delicate washes of color; it’s almost like he's building the stove, layer by layer, on the page. The colors here are muted, almost like looking at the stove through a hazy window. The surface has this incredible texture, like the stove has been sitting in a dusty attic for years. Notice the subtle rust tones creeping around the edges. It reminds me of how colors shift and change over time. There's a small, almost ghostly sketch of the stove in the upper left corner. It’s like a little echo, a reminder that this isn’t just a picture of a stove, it’s about the process of seeing and representing. Rosel’s focus on everyday objects reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting humble bottles. Both artists invite us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, reminding us that art isn’t just about grand gestures, it’s about quiet observation and careful attention.