Buckskin Purse c. 1937

Benjamin Bryant made this buckskin purse without a known date and with an unknown medium, yet its depiction is so enticing. Bryant’s mark-making, the soft shading and delicate lines, invites a prolonged, almost tactile examination, creating a quiet intensity of observation. The tones of brown and cream are muted and earthy; they speak of natural materials and handcrafting, while the delicate washes suggest a translucent quality, as if the layers of paint were as thin as the softest leather. Look at the tassels, how the artist has taken the time to represent each individual strand. The buckskin purse reminds me of some of the drawings of Hilma af Klint. Not in terms of subject matter but in the way she used a limited palette to open up a world of infinite possibilities. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas.