Lamp c. 1937

This 'Lamp' was made by John Dana, though we don't know exactly when. It's an image of a lamp, likely made with watercolor, in shades of mauve. The lamp is rendered with such a light touch, the translucent quality of the watercolor mimicking the texture of glass. The paint is applied in thin washes, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of luminosity. See the way the lines are blurred, almost dissolving into the surface of the paper? This gives the lamp a kind of ethereal presence. Dana is really thinking about the play of light across its surface. It reminds me of some of those early modernists, maybe someone like Morandi. Dana similarly invites us to slow down and really look, to notice the subtle shifts in tone and color. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art isn't about fixed meanings, but rather about embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.