Rosette 1938

Robert Tardiff made this little drawing of a rosette in 1936. It’s kind of like finding a small, forgotten object and giving it a new life through art. The watercolor is thin, almost transparent, letting the paper breathe. Look closely at how Tardiff renders the rosette's texture. It's not about perfect imitation, but about capturing the essence of the metal—the way light catches on the ridges and curves. The tiny holes around the edge are like little points of light, giving it a delicate, almost lace-like quality. The cross-hatched grid at the centre is very curious, it gives an intense sense of concentrated detail, that brings so much focus to the piece. It reminds me a little of Charles Demuth's precisionist drawings, the way he found beauty in everyday objects. It's about seeing the world with fresh eyes. Art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, it whispers.