Roach Trap c. 1936

Yolande Delasser made this drawing of a roach trap sometime in the 20th century, using thin washes of watercolor on paper. The drawing describes the object in careful detail, noting the way the woven layers create a beehive shape. Delasser is interested in the color, but also the texture: the ridges and grooves. She doesn't hide the process; you can see each stroke and how it builds up to describe the object. The overall effect is like a fingerprint, a trace of touch and care. Consider the dark opening near the bottom. It suggests hidden interiors and secret desires. There’s something about the unassuming nature of this work that makes it sing. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, in which humble bottles and jars become the subjects of intense contemplation and beauty. Ultimately, it's about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.