Figurehead from "Kenilworth" 1935 - 1942

Curry M. Bartlett made this watercolor painting, Figurehead from "Kenilworth", sometime in the 20th century; his touch is so delicate, almost like he's afraid to wake her up. It’s all about soft washes and subtle layering, a dance of water and pigment. Bartlett really lets the medium do its thing. The texture is smooth, the colors muted—pale blues, creams, and golds. Look closely, and you can see how the watercolor bleeds and blends, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect. There’s a particular area, around her hands where the blue melts into the cream, suggesting movement, like she's caught between worlds. There’s something about this figure that reminds me of Charles Demuth, both artists share a fascination with architectural forms and a love for the transparency of watercolor. Like all good art, Bartlett's painting doesn't give you all the answers; it invites you to linger, to dream, and to find your own meaning in its gentle embrace.