Glass Compote c. 1936

Beverly Chichester made this drawing of a glass compote, probably with watercolor or gouache. Look at how the pigment is thinly washed over the paper, carefully delineating the rounded form of the jar. It is so light and airy. I wonder what Chichester was thinking when they made this. Glass is a tricky material to capture. It’s all about the light, the reflections and refractions. Chichester has focused on the way light plays across the surface of the compote, creating a sense of depth and volume. The subtle gradations of color suggest a quiet observation, a gentle exploration of form and light. It reminds me a little of Morandi’s bottles. Artists are always in conversation with one another, building upon the ideas and techniques of those who came before. Painting is like that, too, each brushstroke a response to the last, a constant process of refinement and discovery.