Santa Rita - (Bulto) by Majel G. Claflin

Santa Rita - (Bulto) c. 1938

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painting, acrylic-paint, sculpture, wood

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portrait

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painting

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acrylic-paint

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figuration

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folk-art

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sculpture

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wood

Dimensions: overall: 36.8 x 29.1 cm (14 1/2 x 11 7/16 in.) Original IAD Object: Approximately 13"high

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Majel G. Claflin made Santa Rita – (Bulto) using watercolor and graphite on paper. The earthy palette and visible brushstrokes give it a handmade, process-oriented feel, like a quiet conversation between the artist and the subject. The texture of the paper peeks through the thin washes of color, adding a subtle graininess. I love the way Claflin uses the graphite to define the lines of the figure, adding depth without making it feel too rigid. Notice the slight imperfections and irregularities – like the uneven coloring of the robe, and the expressive brushwork, they give the piece a unique energy. The figure feels carved rather than painted, like the artist is honoring the medium as much as the subject matter. It reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley’s folk art portraits, the way he used simple shapes and colors to capture the essence of a person. Ultimately, this piece is a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about capturing a moment in time, an idea, a feeling.

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