Decoy Duck c. 1939

This is John Sullivan’s Decoy Duck. Look at the precision of the lines, and how it evokes the feeling of the natural world through such pared-back means. I can imagine Sullivan carefully mapping out the composition, deciding where to lay down a soft wash of blue-green against the bare paper, carefully building up each section of the duck to create a dynamic interplay between line, shape, and color. The subtle gradations of color create a sense of depth and volume, while the slightly rough surface of the paper adds texture and a tactile quality to the work. You can almost feel Sullivan’s hand moving across the page, carefully shaping and refining the image. It is like Sullivan is in conversation with generations of artists who have explored similar themes and motifs, and it is through this exchange of ideas that painting continues to evolve and surprise us.