Small Cup and Saucer c. 1937

Harry Mann Waddell painted this Small Cup and Saucer using watercolour and graphite. The painting is an eye-level rendering of both objects, with a clear contrast between the neutral background and the darker tones used to depict the cup and saucer. I really love the attention to detail, especially how he captures the floral design on the saucer. I can imagine Waddell carefully mixing his watercolors to match the subtle shades of the objects, maybe even holding the cup and saucer in his own hands as he worked. The cross motif decorating the cup makes me wonder if it was a sentimental object. Or perhaps Waddell was thinking about his own heritage when choosing the design. Either way, it’s clear that this painting is more than just a still life – it’s a little piece of Waddell’s world, preserved in watercolor and graphite.