Candle Stand by Rex F. Bush

Candle Stand

c. 1938

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Artwork details

Medium
drawing, watercolor
Dimensions
overall: 51 x 38.3 cm (20 1/16 x 15 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 27 3/4"high; 20"x18 1/2" top
Copyright
National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Tags

#drawing#water colours#watercolor#underpainting#watercolour illustration#academic-art#decorative-art#realism

About this artwork

This is Rex F. Bush's "Candle Stand" painting. The candle stand is an object of illumination and domesticity, its presence suggesting a symbolic interplay between light and shadow. Notice its singular pillar supporting the flat surface, a structure that echoes ancient columns, bearing not the weight of a temple roof but the gentle glow of candlelight. The tripod base with ornate feet resembles stylized waves or flames, bringing to mind the cyclical nature of fire, destruction, and rebirth. I am reminded of similar motifs of support and illumination in various epochs, from Minoan libation tables to Gothic candelabras. The candle stand is not merely a piece of furniture; it is a vessel of light. It reminds us of the deep, subconscious human need to ward off darkness, both literal and metaphorical. Like a lighthouse, the candle stand symbolizes hope and guidance. It represents the human spirit's cyclical progression through history, continually resurfacing with new meanings and interpretations.

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