Nut Head Doll #2 1935 - 1942

William Frank made “Nut Head Doll #2” with watercolor on paper, but we don't know exactly when. What strikes me first is the tenderness in the mark-making – the way he coaxes the paper into form with delicate washes. It’s a reminder that art-making is really about the way we relate to the world. There's a beautiful translucence to the colours. See how the layers of watercolor build up to create depth and volume, yet the paper still glows through? It's as though Frank wanted to capture not just the appearance of the doll, but its essence, its soul. Look closely at the figure's hands as she knits – you can sense the care and attention that went into rendering them, each line drawn with precision and love. And the way the chair’s pattern echoes through the folds of the doll’s dress is nothing short of miraculous! Frank’s art has some similarities with that of Henry Darger, who also explored imaginary worlds through drawing and painting. Both artists remind us that art is not just about what we see, but about what we imagine.