Baptismal Certificate c. 1936

This baptismal certificate was made by Ralph Atkinson. It’s a delicate dance of watercolor and ink. I love how Atkinson approached mark-making with such precision and care. The colors are so soft and gentle, almost like a whisper, and the surface has a beautiful, porous quality. You can almost feel the fibers of the paper. Look closely at the wreath encircling the central text. Each leaf is meticulously rendered, the tiny berries like jewels nestled amongst the greenery. Atkinson clearly delighted in the tactile process of painting, and he wasn’t afraid to get lost in the details. Atkinson reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint, another artist who approached abstraction with a deep sense of spirituality. The conversation around abstract forms continues, each artist adding their voice to the mix. Ultimately, this piece invites us to contemplate the mysteries of faith, tradition, and the enduring power of art.