Gatepost Finial c. 1941

Adolph Opstad created this watercolor drawing of a gatepost finial; we don't know exactly when. It's a fascinating study in how we see objects, how we perceive light and form. The artist is clearly interested in the interplay between the sculptural qualities of the finial and its surface decoration. Look closely, and you will notice the meticulous rendering of the feathers, each one carefully delineated with fine brushstrokes. The colors are muted, earthy tones, with hints of gold and brown that suggest the material of the sculpture, maybe a wood or a bronze. Notice how the light catches the edges of the wings, giving them a sense of volume and weight. What I like most about this piece is its ambiguity, in the same way, that a Giorgio Morandi still life may at first seem simple, but the more you look, the more complex and mysterious it becomes.