Glassware Study for Macy's Advertisement 1928

Margaret Watkins made this photograph, a study of glassware, probably in her studio. The image is printed in a warm, brown hue, which gives the glassware a soft, glowing quality. Imagine Watkins at work, carefully arranging each glass to catch the light just so. There's a sense of patience and precision in how she's composed the scene, almost like a painter arranging objects for a still life. I wonder if she felt a kinship with painters like Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in humble, everyday objects. The way the light reflects and refracts through the glass creates a sense of depth and dimension, it's so mesmerizing! There's something so satisfying about Watkins' commitment to form, light, and composition. It's a reminder that even the most ordinary objects can become extraordinary when seen through an artist's eye.