Moustache Cup and Saucer c. 1940

Hal Blakeley made this 'Moustache Cup and Saucer' using watercolor and graphite on paper. Rather than oil paints or marble, traditionally used for 'fine art', he chose the more humble and accessible materials of paper and paint. The result is a delicate rendering of a commonplace object, a domestic item elevated by the artist's attention. Blakeley has carefully built up the image with layers of translucent washes, capturing the ceramic's smooth surface and the play of light upon it. The berries and leaves are rendered with precision, as is the gold trim of the handle and rim. The choice of watercolor emphasizes the delicate and temporal aspects of the cup, hinting at the fleeting moments of daily life, or the ephemerality of fashion. This artwork invites us to look closely at the everyday objects that surround us, recognizing the skill and care that goes into both their making and depiction. It blurs the boundaries between the applied and fine arts.