Sugar Bowl c. 1937

John Dana painted this ‘Sugar Bowl’ with what looks like watercolor or gouache, and it's all about this juicy, gem-like purple. I love that Dana took something so everyday and turned it into an object of pure visual pleasure. Look at how the paint is applied – smooth in some areas, but with these tiny, deliberate strokes that build up the form. You can almost feel the artist figuring out the light and shadow, trying to capture the way this glass refracts and reflects. Notice the rhythmic pattern on the bowl? Each diamond shape is like a little experiment in color mixing. It's not just about representation; it's about the joy of making marks and seeing what happens. The solid colour reminds me of Milton Avery’s blocks of colour, those simple shapes feel so modern. For Dana, the sugar bowl becomes a vehicle for exploring colour and form, a testament to the beauty in the ordinary.