Tin Nicho Containing Guadalupe Bulto c. 1936

Majel G. Claflin made this watercolor and graphite ‘Tin Nicho Containing Guadalupe Bulto’ sometime in the early 20th century. I love the straightforward approach to line and color, it's like Claflin is making a record, but also really engaging with the subject, mark by mark. The rendering is pretty flat, which makes the image seem almost like a graphic or a sign. But look closer, and you see how the subtle washes of color and the tiny, repetitive marks give the surface a kind of handmade texture. There's something so compelling about the slightly off-kilter symmetry and the way the details are lovingly rendered. The frame, the sunburst, and the floral motifs are all carefully delineated, but it's the central figure of Guadalupe that really holds your attention. The bold blue of her robe and the gentle expression on her face create a focal point. It’s clear to me that Claflin and Horace Pippin would have gotten along and understood each other. The piece doesn't try to be slick or perfect, and in that imperfection, there is something genuine and deeply human.