Parasol c. 1938

J.J. O'Neill made this intriguing parasol with watercolour; it’s hard to pin down when exactly. Look at the way the lines aren’t exactly straight, there is a softness and a slight wobble to them. The colors feel watery, which is partly the quality of watercolour. The translucence of the paint gives the piece a sense of lightness and air, like the parasol itself is floating just above the paper. There's a real delicacy in the way the colors are layered, creating subtle shifts in tone and texture. I particularly love the fringe on the second layer of the parasol, how the artist hasn't tried to make it perfect, but instead lets the brush dance, giving it a playful, almost casual feel. In some ways, it reminds me of Manet, who also sought to capture the fleeting, transient nature of everyday life, focusing on color and light to convey a sense of immediacy and presence. Art is always a conversation!