Pierced Tin Lantern c. 1941

This grey-toned watercolor of a pierced tin lantern was made by Edward D. Williams, who lived from 1855 to 1995. It looks like Williams really took his time, carefully plotting out the holes and tiny lines on this lantern! You can almost feel him sketching and imagining how the light would filter through those precise little perforations. I get a sense of Williams enjoying the process, like he’s in a meditative state, punching out those tiny holes one by one. I like to think about the lantern, the real object this painting depicts. It’s got this wonderful, slightly irregular surface, so you know it was crafted by hand. Williams captures that so well. He invites us to consider not just the utility of the lantern but also its aesthetic value, its quiet beauty. I think of this as a conversation across time, Williams capturing the essence of this lantern for us to ponder and enjoy.