Whale Oil Lamp c. 1938

"Whale Oil Lamp" is a watercolor painting by American artist Richard Taylor (1855-1995). The painting depicts a simple, yet detailed, representation of a whale oil lamp, a common source of light in the 19th century. Taylor's meticulous rendering highlights the lamp's brass construction, the intricate details of its design, and the soft glow that would have emanated from it. The painting, completed around 1938, serves as a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era and offers a visual record of a now-obsolete technology.