Tortoise Shell Necklace & Locket c. 1940

Editor: We’re looking at "Tortoise Shell Necklace & Locket," a watercolor and drawing created around 1940 by James M. Lawson. There’s a delicate quality to it, despite the relatively large links of the chain. How do you interpret this work, focusing on the formal elements? Curator: This piece emphasizes shape and line above all else. Notice the repeated oval of each tortoiseshell link and the subtle variations in their rendering. The artist uses tonal gradations to suggest depth and volume, even within the limitations of the watercolor medium. Consider the placement of the locket as well, disrupting the pure geometry with an elegant pendant. What effect do you think this has? Editor: It creates a focal point. My eye is drawn immediately to the detail in the locket design. Is the intent to show us this juxtaposition between this delicate miniature portrait and those bold chunky features, the links that are made out of turtle shell? Curator: Precisely. The contrast heightens the visual interest. Now, consider the empty space around the necklace. How does this contribute to our understanding of the artwork's structure? Editor: The negative space really accentuates the circular form of the necklace itself. It almost feels suspended. Does that lightness speak to its time, with new trends in decorative arts? Curator: Possibly. We can only infer what the artist's intent may have been. But the visual dialogue between the solid object and the surrounding void reinforces its existence as an object of beauty and contemplation. Ultimately, we must appreciate it for its artful rendering. Editor: I see now how focusing on line, shape and composition reveals more about the object than any potential story it may have been telling. It has really opened my eyes to appreciate the composition for what it is, even in applied art.