Powder Horn c. 1938

Annie B. Johnston made this drawing of a powder horn, likely with watercolor or gouache on paper. The artist delicately represents an object designed for utility, but this image is far from cold, technical illustration. I wonder what Johnston thought of the powder horn? The rendering is so careful and considered, I imagine Johnston turning it over in her hands, admiring its shape and the delicate etching of the deer. Notice how the pale washes create a sense of the object's volume, the subtle gradations suggesting light playing across a curved surface. It makes me think of Morandi and his bottles— everyday objects imbued with a quiet, contemplative beauty. There’s a wonderful humility to this drawing. Johnston’s work reminds us that we are all connected through making, through the act of seeing and representing the world around us. It’s a quiet but powerful conversation across time.