Greiner Doll "Minerva" c. 1937

Rex F. Bush painted this image of a “Greiner Doll ‘Minerva’” with thin paint washes that lend the piece a delicate, airy feel. Bush has given us a very formal, almost symmetrical presentation of the doll. I imagine him carefully rendering each detail, from the soft ruffles at the hem of the bloomers to the small cross at the doll’s throat. Was he thinking about childhood, nostalgia, or maybe even the way we project ourselves onto inanimate objects? The pale palette evokes a sense of innocence, yet there’s something slightly haunting about the doll's unwavering gaze. I’m thinking of other artists, like Henry Darger, who explore themes of childhood and innocence with a similar mix of tenderness and unease. There’s something very personal and deeply felt about the way Bush captures the doll’s presence. It invites us to bring our own experiences and memories to the work. It’s like he’s speaking in a visual language that transcends words.