Tin Mirror Frame c. 1937

Majel G. Claflin made this ‘Tin Mirror Frame’ without a specified date, using what looks like watercolor on paper. It's a soft study in muted tones, mostly grays and whites, giving it an almost ghostly presence. Looking closely, the piece is all about gentle textures and subtle gradations. The washes are thin and transparent, built up in layers to create depth. The tiny decorative details are rendered with care. The overall effect is pretty subtle, but if you look closely at the top curve of the frame, it almost looks as if Claflin went back in with a damp brush, lifting the pigment to soften the edge. It's like she’s thinking about the object, not just copying it. This approach to the image as a process reminds me of some of the folk art traditions that were floating around at the time. Thinking about the object, thinking about its place in the world, not just trying to paint it perfectly. I really like this.