Wall Painting c. 1939

Edward Jewett made this Wall Painting sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It looks like the kind of design you might find in a book of architectural ornaments, but something about the flatness of the design gives it a really contemporary feel. The colour palette is quite muted, almost like faded frescoes, and he uses a delicate touch to suggest three-dimensionality in the columns and other architectural details. I love the way the colours bleed slightly into one another, creating soft edges and a sense of movement. The Greek key pattern above the doorframe is really interesting. It's like a maze or a puzzle, and the way Jewett renders it makes me think of Sol LeWitt's wall drawings; so precise, yet somehow also playful. You can see the real skill and care that went into this piece, and it's a reminder that even the most seemingly simple designs can be full of surprises.