Toy Bank c. 1938

Chris Makrenos, who lived between 1855 and 1995, made this painting of a Toy Bank, and he’s gone for a precise, clear style, but it’s still got a handmade feel. It’s like he’s trying to capture the essence of the toy, the way a kid would see it, bright and full of action. I love how he's handled the colours. They're bold, but also slightly muted, giving the whole thing a kind of nostalgic vibe. Look at the way he’s rendered the shadows, especially on the base – you can almost feel the texture of the metal and wood. And then there's this cool contrast between the smooth surfaces of the figures and the more detailed, almost ornamental design on the bank itself. The way he's painted the players gives them such presence, like they are about to come off the bank. It reminds me a little bit of Joseph Stella’s industrial landscapes – that same kind of celebration of everyday objects, but with a really personal touch. It’s not just a painting; it’s a little piece of history, a memory, a feeling.