Whale Oil Lamp 1935 - 1942

David S. De Vault made this drawing of a Whale Oil Lamp, we don’t know when. You can really see the artist thinking through the object in front of them, line by line. The colours are pastel, layered so that the lamp has a kind of glow about it. Look at the way De Vault captures the light reflecting on the glass-like surface, the use of pink and blue is gorgeous. It’s all very delicate. The image is built up through simple marks on the paper, hatching that defines the form and creates soft shadows. This reminds me of Morandi’s still life paintings where everyday objects become monumental through the act of looking and describing. The whale oil lamp becomes more than just a lamp; it’s a study in light, form, and color. A quiet, contemplative piece that invites us to slow down and really see.