Two Spouted Torch c. 1942

William Frank’s watercolor, Two Spouted Torch, gives us a glimpse into the artist's careful observation of utilitarian objects. The earthy palette, dominated by browns and grays, suggests a humble scene, maybe lit by a solitary light. I can imagine Frank studying this object, trying to capture every detail, every imperfection. What was he thinking as he mixed the washes, trying to get just the right tone to express the texture of the metal? The way he’s rendered the spout with such care, as well as that delicate chain, makes me think about the tradition of still-life painting. Like Morandi, he is finding something profound in the everyday. Painters are always in conversation, right? Referencing each other across time. This reminds me of the work of contemporary artists who explore similar themes of objecthood and memory through paint. Ultimately, painting embraces ambiguity, and this piece invites us to linger with the torch, considering the stories it could tell, and the hands through which it passed.