Doll Parasol c. 1938

Ernest A. Towers, Jr. made this watercolour on paper sometime in the twentieth century. It’s a beautiful study of a doll’s parasol, all gentle greys and browns. The way Towers applies the paint is quite delicate and controlled, which makes the softness of the parasol’s fabric really pop. Look at the edges of the parasol, how they seem to fray and dissolve into the background. There's a feeling of ephemerality, like the parasol might float away. And then there’s the handle, a simple curve with little indentations that imply texture and age. It’s these small details that draw me in, the way Towers captures not just the object but its history, its use, its quiet presence. You know, this piece reminds me a little of Joseph Cornell’s boxes, how he could elevate the everyday into something magical and strange. Art is such a conversation, isn’t it? A way of seeing and feeling that keeps getting passed down and transformed.