Mirror c. 1936

Arthur Johnson made this image of a mirror, but the date is unknown, and who knows with what! Look at the way the red paint is applied – it's like he's caressing the surface, building up layers, but also leaving some areas a little bare, like you can see the drawing underneath. The color is gorgeous too, a kind of brick red that feels both earthy and regal. I am curious about the gold bird at the very top. How it balances the weight of the heavy base, giving the whole thing a sense of lift. The mirror itself is empty, waiting for someone or something to fill it. I wonder what Johnson was thinking when he painted this? Was he thinking about who would look into the mirror, or about the mirror itself as an object? This reminds me of some of the work of the Shakers, who also found beauty in simplicity and functionality. Like all good art, it invites us to slow down, to look closely, and to ask questions.