Dower Chest c. 1940

This watercolor on paper shows a Dower Chest by Carl Strehlau. The color palette is earthy, warm browns, reds, and muted blues with decorative elements that feel playful and hand-touched. I'm drawn to the texture Strehlau creates - the columns on either side of the lettering in each panel appear to be gouged with a tool or comb, allowing for a great sense of depth despite the flatness of the work. And look at the paint handling. The watercolor is applied in thin, transparent layers, allowing the surface of the paper to peek through and create a sense of luminosity. The details are rendered with a delicate touch, suggesting a deep understanding of the material's properties. You can see a strong connection to folk art in the decorative motifs, not unlike the work of Bill Traylor or the quilts of the Gee's Bend artists - it really speaks to the beautiful conversation across time, culture, and media!