Design drawing 1899 - 1904

This design drawing was made by Peter Carl Fabergé, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Look at the gentle wash of blue watercolor, it's like a memory of color, isn't it? You know, when I'm painting, it's like the color has a life of its own, a voice. The color here is so soft, almost transparent, letting the paper breathe. Fabergé wasn't just capturing an object, he was evoking a mood. Notice the way the light catches the curve of the vase, it almost feels like you could reach out and touch it. It’s not about perfection, but about suggestion, a hint of form. I wonder if Manet saw something like this? That kind of suggestive approach to a form and a shape. It’s a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about the questions it inspires.