Tie-back c. 1939

Helen Bronson made this Tie-back, we don't know exactly when, with what looks like watercolor on paper. It's so fascinating how she's rendered this decorative object. The texture is implied more than real; the creamy surface of the paper makes me want to reach out, even though I know it’s flat. The gold effect is cleverly achieved, with thin washes building up a luminous surface. There's a central rosette with radiating petals that are blocked out in white, surrounded by gold ribbons, looped and tied. Look at the way the shadows are suggested with darker, more concentrated washes. It’s so subtle, yet creates a real sense of form. It reminds me a little of Charles Demuth’s still lifes, with their precision and attention to detail. But Bronson brings a delicacy and a touch of whimsy that's all her own. It’s a piece that invites you to look closely, to appreciate the quiet skill and the beauty in the everyday.