Snipe 1935 - 1942

Hester Duany made this watercolor, ‘Snipe,’ sometime in the early to mid twentieth century. You can tell she's really exploring the possibilities of the medium, the paper peeking through in places, yet there's a lot of layering and detail. It’s a simple subject but she hasn’t taken any shortcuts. Look at the way the wings are rendered, how she uses these strokes to almost sculpt the form, creating depth and volume. They remind me of woodcuts or even topographic maps – beautiful in their own right as abstract forms, but also descriptive. The colour palette is muted, but there’s a warmth there, and a real sensitivity to the way light falls on the bird’s surface. It's like Duany is trying to capture the bird's essence rather than just creating a perfect representation. I’m reminded of Agnes Martin in some ways - the way a limited palette can open up a whole world of emotional resonance. Ultimately, it’s not about what you see, but what you feel.