Brooch 1936

This delightful drawing of a brooch was made by Florence Stevenson, but we don't know exactly when. I can imagine Stevenson considering the intricacies of metalwork and gem placement in a studio filled with drawings, tools, and half-finished creations. She has used watercolor to capture the gold filigree and the pearls nestled in the black enamel. You can see how thin the paint is, barely there on the page. I wonder what Stevenson was thinking as she drew this brooch. Was it a beloved object from her collection? An aspirational piece she dreamed of owning? Or was it a study for a piece she might create herself? Whatever the reason, this study shows her attention to detail and her sensitivity to color and form. Artists have always drawn inspiration from the world around them, engaging in a continuous conversation across time. Looking at Stevenson's brooch, I'm reminded of the ways in which art embodies both the tangible and the intangible, capturing fleeting moments and enduring ideals.