Retablo-Santa Rita c. 1937

This watercolor, Retablo-Santa Rita, was painted by Majel G. Claflin, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The colors are earthy, like desert tones. The marks are soft and translucent. It’s a process of gentle layering, a way of building up the image from the ground. I love how Claflin balances the earthy palette with graphic elements. The frame and drapery are painted in blocks of deep burgundy, punctuated by small splashes of green and white. The skull in the lower left corner is so economical, just a few simple curves and circles, yet so full of character. That crown of red flowers on Santa Rita’s head is so striking, especially against the simple lines of her face. What tools did she use to make this? It's so direct and honest. I feel like I know her somehow. I'm reminded of the work of Milton Avery; a shared interest in simplified forms, flat planes of color, and a kind of quiet poetry. But this has a different tone, a more vernacular sensibility, something deeply human. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas across time and place.