Deep Aquamarine Bottle c. 1941

This watercolour on paper, made by V.L. Vance, depicts a deep aquamarine bottle. I can imagine Vance in the studio, patiently layering the watery pigment to capture the translucent quality of the glass. The bottle is a symphony of curves and swirls, each carefully rendered with delicate brushstrokes. The texture of the paper peeks through in places, adding to the painting's ethereal quality. I wonder what Vance was thinking as they painted? Were they simply trying to capture the beauty of the object, or were they also exploring the interplay of light and shadow, form and space? The smaller bottle above feels like a study, a step along the way, as Vance sought the perfect shape and tone. The swirls remind me of Marsden Hartley’s bold black outlines or maybe even the elegant curves of Art Nouveau. But here, everything is softer, more dreamlike. It reminds us that artists are always looking, learning, and borrowing from one another, creating a visual conversation that spans time and space.