Hat Mannequin c. 1937

Howard Weld made this watercolour and graphite "Hat Mannequin", probably sometime in the mid-20th century. I can imagine Weld, peering closely, trying to capture the subtle sheen of the mannequin's face. He has meticulously rendered a face, dress, and bonnet with tightly controlled, thin washes of color. The eyes are cornflower blue, the bonnet a woven wicker with fine pink blush on her cheek. The texture of the paper peeks through the watery paint, creating a slightly granular effect. There's something almost clinical about the artist's gaze. It reminds me a little of those uncanny shop window mannequins you see from time to time, which have that slightly chilling presence. Weld has really caught this peculiar feeling. It reminds me of Magritte or Balthus, and how they capture a similar emotion in paint. It's like we are all constantly in conversation with one another through our art. It's about embracing the unknown, and constantly questioning what painting can be.