Candlestick c. 1938

This drawing of a candlestick was made by John Hall sometime around the late 18th century. It’s rendered in careful watercolor, where each delicate wash builds up the form. You can really see Hall thinking through the object as he goes. The painting is all about the quiet glow of brass. Notice the way Hall coaxes a subtle range of warm tones from his ochre palette. Look closely at the base of the candlestick. See how Hall carefully layers thin washes of color to describe its gently curving form? The light seems to emanate from within, like the candle it once held. It's pretty amazing how a few simple strokes can evoke such a sense of depth and volume. Hall was also an engraver, and I can see how that training informed this watercolor, especially when I look at the crisp delineation of this drawing. It reminds me a little of Dürer, who was also a printmaker and painter, thinking through the world in great detail. It’s a beautiful rendering, all the more poetic for its sense of restraint.