Trumpet Glass Vase c. 1936

Ella Josephine Sterling created this painting, 'Trumpet Glass Vase', with watercolor and graphite, presenting us with an object of striking simplicity and elegance. The vase, rendered in deep blues and greens, commands our attention through its elongated form and smooth, reflective surfaces. Sterling’s technique plays with light and shadow, creating an interplay that animates the still object. The gradations of color suggest not just the form of the vase, but also a sense of depth and volume, inviting the viewer to contemplate its three-dimensional presence within a two-dimensional space. The choice of subject, a commonplace vase, elevates the ordinary to the level of art. The reflective surface of the glass destabilizes established meanings, challenging our perceptions of space and form. It encourages a deeper understanding of how we perceive the world through art.