Flower Vase c. 1938

Francis Law Durand made this watercolor of a flower vase, we don't know exactly when. The vase is centered, a simple dark form on a light background, but it’s far from simple. It feels considered, studied. The surface is a world of its own. Look how Durand builds up the form, layering dark washes to create depth and volume. See the way the light catches the curve of the vase, how the darks aren't just dark, but alive with variations. There's a real sense of touch, a feeling of the artist's hand moving across the paper, coaxing the form into being. I'm reminded of Morandi, another artist who found endless fascination in the humble object. Both artists invite us to slow down, to really see the world around us, to appreciate the quiet beauty in the everyday. It's a reminder that art isn't about grand gestures, but about paying attention, about finding meaning in the spaces between things.