Moonlight 1941

Oliver Newberry Chaffee made this watercolour, Moonlight, maybe sometime in the early part of the 20th century. What catches my eye is the playful arrangement of shapes and colours, where each element seems to float in its own space, yet together they form a lively underwater scene. The texture of the paper peeks through the translucent layers of paint, giving the image a soft, dreamlike quality. I like the way Chaffee uses colour to define form, like the orange of one fish which is broken up by these little white lines. This creates a sense of movement and vitality, as if the fish are darting through the water. That circular moon in the upper right corner is so simple, but it anchors the composition, providing a focal point for the eye. In a way, Chaffee's approach reminds me of Milton Avery, with his pared-down forms and emphasis on colour relationships. But in the end, it’s Chaffee’s unique vision that shines through.