Bandbox 1940

Dorothy Dwin made this drawing of a bandbox—we don't know exactly when, but she lived a long life, so it could have been anytime in the 20th century! I see a tender observation of craft and design rendered in watercolor. The muted palette of greens and browns gives it a nostalgic feel, like something remembered. I imagine Dorothy carefully outlining each leaf and flower, trying to capture the essence of the original bandbox, and feeling her way through the details. Maybe she’s thinking about the person who made the original bandbox, the hands that shaped it, the stories it could tell. You can see how the textured surface of the paper gives the drawing a tactile quality. There's a quietness to this piece, a gentle nod to the beauty of everyday objects. It reminds me of other artists like Agnes Martin who found so much depth in simple forms. It's a reminder that art is all about seeing and feeling, and that sometimes, the most profound statements are the quietest ones.