Finial, from Reredos 1939

R.J. De Freitas made this Finial from Reredos, probably with watercolor or gouache on paper. Look at how the colors are laid down, in simple, almost flat tones – it's like a blueprint for a sculpture, or maybe a prop for a play. The blues and greens are so gentle and fresh, and the way the white flowers pop against that background makes you want to reach out and touch it. You can almost feel the grain of the wood, even though it's just paint on paper. And those little details, like the way the leaves curl at the edges, show you how much the artist loved looking at things. This reminds me a little of Florine Stettheimer, who also had a knack for turning everyday objects into something magical and strange. It's proof that art is all about seeing the world in a new way, and then sharing that vision with everyone else.