Bandbox 1935 - 1942

Gilbert Sackerman made this little painting of a bandbox, probably with gouache or watercolor, and it's like a love letter to decorative art. I can imagine Sackerman, brush in hand, carefully building up the layers of ochre and pink, trying to capture the charm of the original bandbox, its folksy, floral pattern. The original was probably a mass-produced item, and so Sackerman's painting almost elevates it to something precious. I love how the pink flowers and green leaves pop against that warm yellow background, and the way he’s handled the border design. You can tell he’s really looking, figuring out the pattern as he goes. Maybe he was thinking about all the other painters who've been inspired by everyday objects, from Morandi's bottles to Warhol's soup cans. It’s this beautiful exchange of ideas across time, each artist finding inspiration in the world around them and adding their own personal touch.