Bandbox 1935 - 1942

Lee Hager made this painting of a bandbox. The soft, light, almost pastel colors give it a really gentle feel. I can imagine the quiet focus it must have taken to create this replica. What was Hager thinking about as they were painting it? Maybe they felt a connection to the original artist or craftsperson, wondering about their life, what they stored in the box, or even the stories of the people and landscapes depicted in the original design. I see the attention to detail with the flowers and diamond patterns that frame the box. It's like Hager is inviting us to appreciate not just the overall design, but also the small, lovely details that make it special. It's cool to think about how artists like Hager engage in this ongoing conversation with the past, transforming and reinterpreting the works of others.