Figurehead: Indian 1935 - 1942

Hazel Hyde made this watercolor drawing called ‘Figurehead: Indian’ sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, and the earth-toned palette feels authentic to the period. I can only imagine Hyde wrestling with this image—layering washes of brown and green to achieve a sense of depth. It’s fascinating how she uses color to suggest form, especially in the figure’s robe, where dabs of green and brown create a sense of texture and movement. It feels like she’s trying to capture not just the likeness of the figurehead, but also the weight and feel of the wood. The way Hyde renders the light on the figure's face is just beautiful, you know? It makes you wonder about her process, how she built up those layers of color to create that soft, subtle glow. Painters like Hyde remind us that art is a conversation across time, and each brushstroke is part of an ongoing dialogue.