"Jenny Lind" Mirror c. 1939

Regina Henderer made this charming watercolor of a "Jenny Lind" mirror, we don't know exactly when. There's something so intimate about watercolors, isn't there? You can see the artist's hand so clearly. Look at the way Henderer built up the forms with delicate washes. The colors are muted, almost dreamlike, which gives the whole piece a nostalgic feel. I'm drawn to the base of the mirror. The textures and layering she achieved with the American flag and floral decorations is interesting. What does it mean to paint a mirror like this? What does it mean to see a mirror? It feels like we're invited into a private world, a moment of reflection. Art isn't about answers; it's about creating a space for questions, for seeing things in a new light. It reminds me of Florine Stettheimer’s playful subversions of portraiture.