Pa. German Rooster c. 1936

Du Bois painted this Pa. German Rooster with what looks like watercolour, creating a simple but striking image. I can imagine Du Bois carefully laying down each stroke, building up the rooster's form with layers of muted browns and greens. See how the brushstrokes create a sense of texture and depth, especially in the rooster's tail feathers? There’s a kind of earthy quality to the palette which feels very grounded, and a charming, folk-art simplicity to the image, with the figure placed on top of a grassy mound. This image is evocative of other artists who work with simple forms and direct expression. I love the humble, straightforward approach and the clear joy in capturing a little piece of the world. It reminds us that artists, like roosters, are always communicating, crowing their ideas and visions across time.