Brooch c. 1938

John H. Tercuzzi made this striking brooch design on paper, and you know, it's got this old-school charm that really gets me thinking about process. I can almost feel Tercuzzi at work, carefully laying down each shape with intention. The cool, dark gems surrounded by dabs of gold paint – it's like a tiny universe of craft and consideration. The symmetrical layout is super satisfying, and it's clear Tercuzzi was really thinking about how each part connects to the whole. It kinda reminds me of Gustav Klimt's decorative style, with its focus on pattern and detail. You see, artists keep talking to each other across time, building on each other's visions, and making something totally new. The beauty of painting and designing is that it embraces all those beautiful "what ifs," letting us see things in different ways.