Skylight panel from a set of six 1913

This skylight panel is one of six made by William Gray Purcell, and it lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I’m drawn to the way the light filters through this piece, creating subtle variations in color. It’s like a slow, gentle dance of light and shadow. What I love about this piece is its physicality. It’s not just a flat surface; it’s made of glass and wood that create a three-dimensional experience. The texture of the glass, with its slight imperfections and variations in color, feels so alive. And then you have the wooden frame, adding structure and grounding the piece. Look closely at the center square, that perfect little patch of green and blue. It’s a moment of calm amidst the geometric pattern. I can’t help but think about how this panel relates to other artists who explored similar themes of light and space, like Frank Lloyd Wright, who was a big influence on Purcell’s work. It’s like an ongoing conversation across time, each artist building on the ideas of those who came before.