Certificate, Birth and Baptismal; (Fractur) c. 1936

This birth and baptismal certificate, or Fractur, was made by Ruth Thomson, probably in Pennsylvania. It's a watercolor on paper, and what strikes me first is the loving attention to detail. You can almost feel Ruth's hand moving slowly, deliberately, making each mark. The colors are gentle, earthy reds and yellows and blues. The paint is applied thinly, allowing the paper's texture to peek through. Look at those tulips framing the heart shape at the center. Each petal is carefully outlined and shaded, creating a sense of depth. Notice the little variations in color and shape, the slightly wobbly lines. These imperfections are what give the piece its charm and warmth, reminding us of the human hand behind it. It reminds me of Hilma af Klint's early botanical drawing studies. Both share a tenderness, a way of finding the sublime in the small details of the world around us. The work is a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, the quietest voices resonate the loudest.