Dough Tray c. 1938

This is Leonard Battee's 'Dough Tray', and it's difficult to date. There's a real charm to the simple palette of browns and creams. You get a sense that artmaking for Battee was like a quiet conversation, each stroke answering the last, building up the image. Looking closely, you can see how the paint is layered to create the illusion of wood grain. It’s thinly applied, almost translucent in places, which gives the tray a soft, warm glow. The details on the legs, with their rounded shapes and subtle shadows, feel almost lovingly rendered. I’m drawn to the way the light catches the edges, highlighting the object's form. It’s as if Battee wasn't just painting an object, but capturing a memory or a feeling. This makes me think of other self-taught artists like Bill Traylor, who also found beauty and meaning in the everyday objects around them. Ultimately, 'Dough Tray' is a reminder that art doesn't need to be loud or complicated to be deeply affecting.