Ribbon 1940

Marie Lutrell made this watercolour painting called Ribbon in 1940. Look at how she’s layered the purple to give a sort of shimmering effect. It's like she’s feeling her way through the colour, letting it build up in its own time. The paper has a slightly rough texture, and you can see Lutrell hasn't tried to hide it. In fact, the way the paint catches on the surface feels like an important part of the piece. The purple itself is so rich and deep; in the bottom corner, it almost vibrates. Notice how the small, black, floral motifs provide a strong contrast and add a touch of formality to the otherwise fluid and organic feel of the ribbon. It reminds me a little of some of the textile designs by William Morris, but with a looser, more personal touch. The whole painting feels like a quiet conversation between colour, texture, and form, where ambiguity and multiple interpretations are embraced.