Altar for Chinese Temple c. 1939

Vera Van Voris’s watercolor drawing, “Altar for Chinese Temple,” depicts a small, wooden altar with double doors and a decorative, carved aperture. The artwork, executed in 1939, captures the detail and craftsmanship of traditional Chinese religious architecture. Van Voris's depiction of the altar, which is crafted in a simple, but elegant style, reflects her interest in the intersection of Chinese and Western artistic traditions. The muted tones of the watercolor painting and the simplified form of the altar, create a sense of quiet serenity.