Doll c. 1938

Eugene Croe, born in 1855, made this watercolor of a doll, and it's roughly a foot tall. I can imagine him carefully laying down each stroke, figuring out the form, trying to get it just right. The doll's black dress is so striking against the pale background, and the white lace at the collar is a delicate touch. I wonder what he was thinking as he painted it. Was it a portrait of a favourite toy, or something more symbolic? Look at the way the doll stands so stiffly, a little awkwardly; this is an artist really trying to capture a likeness. It’s charming, right? It reminds me of folk art, where you get this beautiful, raw expression, capturing a presence. Painting is like a conversation across time, and each artist adds their voice to the mix. Croe created an image that holds a sense of mystery and timelessness, reminding us that art is about expressing something deeply personal. It's about opening up a space for imagination and reflection, like a good painting should.