Shaker Glove c. 1936

Helen Gilman made this watercolor of a glove, no date. The entire piece is composed of warm brown hues, applied in visible strokes that create a soft, almost tactile surface. It’s like she’s feeling her way through the form, letting the brush follow the knitted structure of the glove. Looking at the surface, you can almost feel the wool, the gentle gradations suggesting a real, three-dimensional object. Notice how the edges of the glove aren’t sharply defined, but sort of bleed into the background? It’s as if the glove is emerging from the paper itself. The texture is built up with layered washes, creating depth and volume with deceptively simple means. It’s a quiet, unassuming piece, but there’s a real tenderness in the way the artist has depicted this humble object. It reminds me a bit of some of Fairfield Porter’s more intimate domestic scenes – a similar attention to the beauty of everyday life. Ultimately, the painting is a testament to how much can be communicated through careful observation and a sensitive touch.