Bracelet c. 1938

This watercolor, showcasing three bracelet designs, was made by John H. Tercuzzi. He really captures the feeling of making as process, the way each gem is placed just so. Look closely, and you can see how Tercuzzi layers the washes of color to build up the form. It is almost like he is building the bracelets in front of us. The precision of the red and gold hues is really striking, each bead or stone meticulously rendered. Check out how the light catches the gold bracelet, how the inner part of each bead is painted with shade, suggesting a three-dimensionality. This close attention to detail makes me think of the meticulous still-life paintings of Giorgio Morandi, whose arrangements of bottles and vases shared this sense of quiet observation. Ultimately, Tercuzzi’s bracelets are a reminder that art is a form of looking closely and paying attention.