Doll c. 1939

Henry Tomaszewski made this study of a doll with watercolour on paper at an unknown date. The palette is subdued, earthy, and the application is simple, direct, and honest. You can tell he's interested in process and clarity by the precision and attention to detail. The doll is rendered in such a way that you can almost feel the grain of the wood. Tomaszewski pays close attention to the texture and form, using subtle shifts in tone to model the doll's three-dimensional presence. The way he renders the braids, for example, is really beautiful. Each strand is carefully delineated, conveying the texture and weight of the hair. It's these little details that make the work so engaging. The crisp edges create a sense of solidity and depth. It reminds me a bit of Giorgio Morandi, who had a very similar approach in his still life paintings of bottles. There is a clear sense of looking, and a desire to capture the essence of the subject through observation. The real genius of both of these artists lies in their ability to transform ordinary objects into extraordinary works of art.