Towel 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have John Hall’s "Towel," likely created between 1935 and 1942, using watercolor, pastel, and coloured pencil. The folk art style and the pastel soft colours give it a gentle, domestic feeling. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: The delicate balance and symmetry achieved within a limited color palette are particularly striking. Notice how the artist employs repetition of floral motifs, organizing them with a clear rhythm along a horizontal axis. How does this organization contribute to the overall aesthetic effect? Editor: It creates a sense of order and calm. The wreath in the centre feels like a focal point, grounded by the heavier green band at the bottom, like a border of earth. Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, the texture implied through the watercolour and coloured pencil work—especially in rendering the fabric and the stitching—creates an engaging interplay between surface and depth. Do you perceive any intentional distortions in perspective? Editor: It looks relatively flat, with not much play with shadows to imply depth, and some inconsistent perspective. This gives it an almost naive quality, that leans into the Folk Art categorization. Is it intended to mimic real decorative arts of the time? Curator: The emphasis lies not in illusionistic representation but rather in the arrangement of form and color. The decorative intent is clear, perhaps aiming to elevate a mundane subject—a towel—into the realm of art through careful composition and skillful handling of media. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It's easy to get lost in the simplicity, but it really reveals an incredible understanding of colour and form! Curator: Indeed. Analyzing it formally reveals that its seeming simplicity belies a refined understanding of design principles.