Wallpaper for Bandbox Covering c. 1937

This print, Wallpaper for Bandbox Covering, was made by Albert Levone, probably in the early 20th century. Its colors are a bit muted, like it was waiting for the future to arrive. This piece feels like a game, one where Levone is asking us, “Can you make a landscape with just a few simple shapes?” The texture is flat, but not totally without depth. The colors are laid down one next to the other, rather than blended. Look at the river, with the way the colors vibrate together, and then look at the way the colors define the building: it’s like looking at an architectural plan. There’s something about the way the paint is handled that suggests a real love for the process. This reminds me of those folk art scenes that Edward Hicks did in the 19th century: flat, direct, and not afraid to just be what they are. Both of these artists suggest a way of seeing the world that is uncomplicated and beautiful. It shows how art can be an ongoing conversation across time.