Hen on Basket 1937

J. Howard Iams made this watercolor of a hen on a basket in 1937. It's a study of a humble, everyday object, but it’s elevated, given dignity through close observation. I can imagine Iams, squinting, trying to capture the way light hits the hen’s feathered head, how it makes the woven basket glow. The paint is thin, fluid, almost like a wash, but it’s built up in layers to create depth. Look at the careful rendering of the basket weave – each stroke deliberate, precise, trying to capture the object’s texture and form. It makes me think of Morandi, another artist who found endless inspiration in simple, unassuming objects. But it's not just about accuracy. There’s a warmth, a tenderness in the way Iams depicts the hen. You can sense his affection for this little object, the way he’s found beauty in the ordinary. That's what connects artists, this conversation across time, finding inspiration in each other's work, and in the world around us.