Decoy c. 1942

Hester Duany made this watercolour on paper of a 'Decoy'. The earthy palette and descriptive approach gives it a sense of understated realism. I love the way the wood grain of the decoy is meticulously rendered, with the warm browns and subtle variations in tone adding depth and texture. You can almost feel the smooth, worn surface of the wood. It really gives the impression that this bird has done some miles! The way the light catches on the rounded form, highlighting the subtle contours and imperfections, gives it so much character. The background is a smooth, neutral tone which makes you focus on the decoy itself, elevating it to a place of reverence. It makes me think of the work of Charles Sheeler, who was also interested in depicting vernacular American objects with clarity and precision. These artists understood the power of humble subjects.