Doll c. 1938

Hans Mangelsdorf made this watercolor painting, called "Doll," and it feels like a quiet observation, a world softly rendered. The overall color is muted, and the effect is somewhat ghostly, in a way that feels both gentle and unnerving. Look closely, and you can see how the paint has bled into the paper. In places, the colour is thinly applied so that it creates soft, mottled effects. It’s interesting to note how the orange polka dots on the doll’s dress and face and even on her hair are so uniformly applied. The artist has taken care with the mark making, yet the face of the doll seems slightly blurred, as if seen through a gauze. This combination of softness and precision reminds me of other self-taught or folk artists who worked with a similar sense of freedom and restraint. It's an example of how art can embrace imperfection.