Bread or Apple Tray 1936

Eugene Shellady painted this quiet, humble still life of a decorative tray, probably with oils, sometime in the 20th century. The tray’s been placed on its side and lit to cast a shadow. I wonder, was he also a carpenter? Did he make it, or was it a much-loved object in his home? It’s a close-up view. I can almost imagine Shellady considering the light glinting off its surface. I bet he spent a lot of time figuring out how to paint the subtle variations in tone, the darks and lights. He was probably thinking about Cezanne while pushing the paint around, trying to find the essential forms with just a few brushstrokes. There’s some loose brushwork with the botanical design on the inside and the decorative patterning. Painters, we’re all in conversation with each other across time. Every stroke is a choice, a tiny act of will. And when you put them all together, you get something that's more than the sum of its parts.