Flower Vase c. 1938

Francis Law Durand made this flower vase, likely using watercolor, carefully building up the form with layers of translucent washes. I wonder what Durand was thinking about while painting it. Maybe he was interested in the way light reflects off the vase, or perhaps he just liked the shape of it? Look at the surface: the paint is thin and watery, allowing the paper to show through. It's not about building up texture or creating a tactile surface but about capturing the essence of the object. Durand's use of light and shadow gives the vase a sense of depth and weight, even though it is rendered in such a delicate medium. This is an act of observation and translation, and through his work, Durand joins a conversation with artists across time who have found inspiration in the beauty of everyday objects. He offers us a glimpse into his world and invites us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.