Mortar c. 1940

Hester Duany's watercolor painting *Mortar* (c. 1940) is a depiction of a wooden mortar, a traditional kitchen tool used for grinding spices, herbs, and other ingredients. The artist's meticulous attention to detail highlights the intricate craftsmanship of the object, capturing the grain of the wood and the subtle variations in its color. The simple composition and realistic rendering of the mortar create a sense of quiet contemplation, reflecting the everyday objects that Duany often incorporated into her still-life paintings. Duany was known for her skill in watercolor, using subtle washes to create a sense of depth and luminosity.