Stage Set c. 1939

Gilbert Sackerman made this "Stage Set", likely with watercolors, sometime between 1855 and 1995. You can tell Sackerman really relished in the process of artmaking, judging from the freedom of the marks and the loose, vibrant color choices. There is such a beautiful attention to texture here; the soft, billowing fabric of the curtains contrasts with the rigid architecture of the pillars and staircases. Look at the way the paint is applied in thin, transparent washes in some areas, like the sky, and then layered more thickly in the foreground details. See the peacock's feathers, how each delicate stroke captures its iridescence? It feels like the whole scene is built from these small, deliberate gestures. It reminds me a little of the stage designs by David Hockney, both artists playing with perspective and illusion to create immersive visual experiences. Ultimately, art invites us to see beyond the surface, to find beauty and meaning in the unexpected.