Blown Glass - Bottle c. 1937

This is John Fisk’s "Blown Glass - Bottle", dimensions 30.7 x 23 cm. Fisk's rendering presents a study in form and transparency. The artist masterfully employs watercolor to capture the play of light on the glass surface. Note how the cylindrical body transitions into the narrow neck, subtly suggesting volume and depth within a two-dimensional space. The careful gradations of green evoke not only the bottle's materiality but also a sense of reflected light. Consider how Fisk uses a limited palette to create variations in tone, suggesting both the thickness of the glass and the light filtering through it. The label 'SARATOGA' disrupts the smooth surface, adding a layer of semiotic meaning to the object. It suggests the bottle’s origin or perhaps its intended use. Notice the stark contrast between the detailed rendering of the bottle and the plain background, which isolates the object. The absence of context prompts a focus on the formal properties. Ultimately, Fisk invites us to see beyond the everyday object, and to appreciate the interplay of color, light, and form that transforms a simple bottle into a compelling visual experience.