Parasol c. 1941

Carl Buergerniss made this watercolour, Parasol, sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. Just imagine him, leaning over the paper, patiently drafting each tiny floral motif, and the fine lace trim of the parasol. These shapes, the parasol and lace, each like an upturned flower, are drawn with such intricate detail. It makes me think about the tradition of botanical illustration. Each form is carefully observed, almost like a scientific study. I wonder, what was he thinking when he made this? It feels intimate, quiet, a moment of respite in a busy world. I see echoes of other artists who loved the quiet of interiors, like Vilhelm Hammershoi, but with a certain graphic quality that reminds me of fashion illustration. Maybe Buergerniss was trying to find the common ground between the eye of a scientist and the hand of an artist. It's a beautiful conversation to be a part of.