Lamp c. 1936

Ella Josephine Sterling made this study of a lamp, we don't know when, but it's executed in watercolor over graphite on paper. I can imagine Ella carefully rendering the clear glass and ornamental details with delicate brushstrokes. There's a real sense of light and reflection, and the cool blues and greys give the lamp an ethereal quality. It's hard to say why she made this study, but maybe she had a particular interest in glass objects, or maybe she was interested in the play of light. The translucence of the lamp, and the layers of formal detail, give me a sense of how light and transparency are treated in the history of painting. It makes me think of Morandi's still life paintings, and his interest in everyday objects. This watercolor opens up a conversation with them. In the end, Ella's lamp becomes more than just a functional object; it's a study in form, light, and the simple beauty of everyday life.