Whale Oil Lamp c. 1940

"Whale Oil Lamp" is a watercolor painting by American artist William O. Fletcher. It depicts a simple yet elegant whale oil lamp with a bulbous reservoir, a slender stem, and a wide base. The artwork is a realistic representation of a common household object, perhaps created for a decorative or educational purpose. The lamp is rendered with meticulous detail, highlighting the subtle variations in light and shadow on the metallic surface. Fletcher's artwork provides a glimpse into the past, showcasing a once essential tool for illumination in the 19th century.