Flower Urn 1935 - 1942

Clarence W. Dawson made this watercolor drawing of a flower urn sometime between 1855 and 1995. It feels like a meditation on the process of seeing. The earthy tones and the way the light hits the pot create a sense of depth and volume. Look closely at the rim of the urn; you can almost feel the texture of the clay. Dawson's brushstrokes are delicate yet confident. Notice the subtle variations in color, suggesting the play of light and shadow on the surface. It is like the urn has its own story to tell. This work reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, with their muted palettes and quiet contemplation of everyday objects. Dawson, like Morandi, invites us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of the world around us. There’s an ambiguity that I find really appealing. It’s this openness to multiple interpretations that makes art so endlessly fascinating.