Ship Lantern c. 1936

Florence Huston made this drawing of a ship lantern sometime in the 20th century with ink on paper. I can imagine her making small, repetitive marks to build up the form of the metal case, each stroke carefully placed to create a sense of depth and texture. Looking at those lines, so precise and controlled, it's hard not to think about her focus, her attention to the small details of the lantern’s structure. What was she thinking about as she drew? Was she interested in the lantern's form, or the symbolic importance of the object itself? And then there's the green of the lantern, which glows from within the metal frame. This light evokes the actual function of the lantern – to guide ships safely at sea. Ultimately, this drawing is a testament to the power of simple materials and forms to evoke complex ideas and emotions. It reminds me of the long tradition of artists who have found inspiration in the everyday objects around them, transforming them into something new and meaningful through their creative vision.