Powder Flask 1941

Archie Thompson made this 'Powder Flask', and it looks like he used watercolours, maybe with a bit of gouache for opacity. It’s a straightforward, almost diagrammatic rendering of the object, but it has this lovely, soft glow to it. Look at the tonal variations, how Thompson uses the colour to build up the form. There's a great sense of light and reflection off the surface of the flask. It's so precise, but not cold. I think of other artists like Alex Katz, who find something profound in the everyday. Thompson has done that here, capturing the essence of this functional object, elevating it. It's a testament to the power of observation, and how art can transform the mundane into something beautiful.