Whaler Lamp 1938

"Whaler Lamp" is a watercolor painting by American artist William Frank created in 1938. It depicts a simple, functional object: a whale oil lamp used for illumination in the 19th century. The artwork captures the lamp's utilitarian design, with its rounded, bulbous body, metal frame, and tray base. The green patina on the lamp suggests its age and use, creating a sense of history and the passing of time. This intimate study of a common household object reveals Frank's interest in depicting everyday life, capturing the simplicity of the past in a detailed yet straightforward manner.