Bank: Statue of Liberty c. 1940

William O. Fletcher made this small, undated watercolor and graphite on paper of a toy bank shaped like the Statue of Liberty. The rendering is really lovely, with the statue’s iconic form translated into simple shapes and colors. I find the artist's rendering of the shadows and highlights to be particularly interesting. The statue is primarily painted in a flat blue, with dabs of orange-brown used to suggest depth and form. The word “Liberty” is written in orange across the base, anchoring the figure to the ground. These shadows are a kind of shorthand. The effect is a bit crude, but endearing, like a child's drawing. The piece reminds me a bit of the work of Joseph Cornell, who also elevated everyday objects to the realm of art, transforming the mundane into something magical. It’s a painting but it’s also a memory. It’s a way of seeing that embraces the beauty of the imperfect, the poetry of the everyday.