Candle Snuffer, Trimmer & Tray c. 1937

Eugene Bartz made this painting of a candle snuffer, trimmer and tray on paper, and it's interesting to consider how he built up the forms and their tarnished metallic qualities through a rather limited palette. The brushwork is delicate, almost hesitant, layering thin washes of color to create a sense of depth and texture. Look closely at the tray, how Bartz uses subtle gradations of brown and grey to suggest the play of light on its surface, giving it a worn, almost ghostly appearance. It feels like he's trying to capture not just the object itself, but also the way light reveals its history and its connection to the past. The muted colors and detailed rendering give the objects a quiet dignity, elevating the mundane to something worthy of contemplation. Like Morandi's still lifes, Bartz transforms the ordinary into something poetic. It’s all about the slow, meditative act of looking and painting, isn’t it?