Doll c. 1936

This drawing of a doll, made by Du Bois sometime between 1775 and 1875, has a quiet charm, right? The way the artist used watercolor feels so gentle, like a soft memory. You can almost feel the handmade quality, the imperfections that give it character. I’m drawn to the subtle washes of color, how they create depth and form without being too precise. The pink shawl around the doll's neck is particularly tender. See how the color bleeds slightly, giving it a delicate, almost ethereal quality? The texture is smooth, the brushstrokes minimal. It's as if Du Bois wanted to capture the essence of the doll. It reminds me a little of Balthus, but with a softer edge. Both artists have this way of imbuing their subjects with a sense of quiet mystery, but Du Bois’s piece feels more intimate, more personal. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to be loud or complicated to be deeply moving.