Doll c. 1936

This watercolour of a doll, was painted by Du Bois sometime between the late 18th and mid 19th century. I really love the soft, warm palette that Du Bois has chosen, it feels gentle and innocent like childhood. I wonder if they were thinking about their own childhood when they painted it. The translucent washes that make up her dress and skin suggest a quick study, yet the lace detailing around the neckline and sleeves are so carefully rendered. It’s like Du Bois was trying to capture the essence of the doll, while also paying attention to the small details that make her unique. Looking at the dress I'm reminded of how Morisot would blend and blur colours and form into a sort of dreamlike haze. What a gift it is to be able to express feelings in paint, and how lucky are we to be able to view the artist's creative conversation and feel something of their sentiment.