Dove c. 1940

Franklyn Syres created this watercolor painting of a dove, and what a gentle work it is! I can imagine Syres, brush in hand, carefully layering these translucent washes of pale grey and soft brown, coaxing the form of the dove into being. It’s like he’s feeling his way through the painting, finding the subject through the act of applying color, one delicate stroke at a time. There’s something so tender about the way the dove emerges from the paper, its form almost dissolving into the background. I wonder if Syres was thinking about peace, hope, or maybe even loss as he worked on this piece? It’s as though he’s inviting us to contemplate the fragility of life. This painting reminds me of the work of other artists who embraced watercolor for its ethereal qualities. Think of the subtle washes of someone like John Marin, or even the spiritual explorations of Agnes Pelton! There is an ongoing conversation between artists and across time. Syres’ painting is a quiet reminder that art can be a space for contemplation, inviting us to find beauty and meaning in the simplest of forms.