Bandbox 1935 - 1942

This bandbox, made by Holger Hansen, gives us such a clear sense of artmaking as a process. Just look at that ground colour, that golden yellow, and how it catches the light in different ways. There's something about the material aspects of this piece, the way the paint is applied so deliberately, yet with a kind of naive charm. The texture isn't concealed; you can see the brushstrokes, feel the hand of the artist. Take the trees on the left, for example. Each leaf, each branch, is rendered with such care and attention, it's like Hansen is inviting us to slow down and really see. It's also worth noting the colours here: how Hansen creates depth and dimension through the varying shades of green and brown, making the image come alive. Hansen lived a long life, dying at the age of 100, and this bandbox feels like a snapshot of a particular time and place, viewed through a very particular lens. It brings to mind the work of Erastus Salisbury Field, especially his landscapes, in the way it captures the essence of a scene with such vividness.