Doll: Black Mama c. 1938

Jacob Gielens made this drawing of a doll, Black Mama, with what looks like watercolor. It’s a pretty restrained palette, mostly whites and grays, but the doll radiates such a powerful presence. Look at the plaid dress; Gielens layers washes of color to create depth, but it’s not photorealistic. The fabric feels real, even though the doll is drawn with a light touch. The skirt poofs out around the doll’s legs, giving her a sense of groundedness and movement. I mean, what’s more grounded than being able to see the feet of a doll? The way Gielens handles the material qualities here—the paper’s texture, the watercolor washes—makes me think of other self-taught artists like Bill Traylor, who also transformed humble materials into powerful expressions. The doll's open gaze, is a reminder that art is about communication, and seeing, in ways that transcend technical skill.