Door Stop c. 1941

Gerard Barnett made this intriguing boot with watercolor, at an unknown date. The process here feels like an exploration, with transparent layers building up to create this rich, warm brown. It's fascinating how the color defines the form. Look at the variations – lighter washes suggesting the highlights, darker tones creating depth around those cute buttons. The texture is incredible; the way Barnett uses the medium, it looks like you could touch the soft, worn leather of the boot. My eye keeps going to the subtle, almost imperceptible strokes that build the heel; they give it structure and a hint of wear-and-tear. This piece reminds me a little of Philip Guston's later works, in that both artists imbue everyday objects with a kind of tender regard. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to shout, sometimes it whispers, inviting us to really look and feel.