Pa. German Bandbox c. 1941

Betty Jacob made this drawing of a Pennsylvania German Bandbox sometime between 1855 and 1995, using watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil. You can almost feel Betty mapping the object onto the page, trying to capture its essence as if sketching a memory. There's a real sense of intimacy here. I love how the blue is laid down in strokes, like she’s caressing the surface, almost like the paint has been scrubbed onto the surface of the paper. On the top of the box, you can see the dancing couple and little birds, almost like a secret language. The way Betty Jacob has described the couple makes me think of Redon, but also, you know, just the act of looking closely. There's something so poignant about this drawing, like a quiet conversation between Betty and this humble object. It reminds us that art isn't just about grand gestures, but about the simple act of paying attention.