Cane Head or Handle 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have Francis Law Durand's "Cane Head or Handle," created sometime between 1935 and 1942, rendered in watercolor. I’m struck by the contrasting textures – the smooth, almost luminous quality of the watercolor against the implied roughness of the wood carving. What formal elements stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The most compelling aspect, formally speaking, is the tension between representation and abstraction. Durand meticulously renders the carved details of the cane head, giving it a realistic presence, but the simplified forms and the flattening effect of the watercolor also pull it toward abstraction. Consider how the artist uses color. Editor: It’s a very limited palette, mostly browns and tans. Does that contribute to the tension you mentioned? Curator: Precisely. The limited palette emphasizes the material qualities of the wood itself. The artist doesn't seem to be trying to create an illusion of depth or volume, but rather to call attention to the flatness of the picture plane. Notice how the artist uses line to define the forms. Is there a variance? Editor: Yes, I see a clear shift! The head has finer lines to create details. Meanwhile the can itself uses more broad brush strokes to showcase the can's basic shape and texture, right? Curator: Correct, it is these contrasting and distinctive lines which create variance. The interplay between line and wash contributes to the overall sense of the artwork emphasizing the physical properties of the object. Do you think that affects how we understand the work's purpose? Editor: It’s a fascinating point. The contrast of smooth strokes with harsh ones does remove any practical nature, rather elevating it into pure art for art's sake. It encourages us to look and consider. I'll definitely keep this tension in mind moving forward. Curator: Excellent. Paying attention to these subtle details can greatly enrich our appreciation.