Copper Tea Kettle c. 1936

"Copper Tea Kettle" is a watercolor painting on paper by American artist J. Howard Iams. Created in 1936, the painting showcases Iams' meticulous attention to detail and masterful use of color. The work depicts a simple, yet elegant copper tea kettle, highlighting the artist's interest in everyday objects and their ability to convey a sense of history and time. The artwork exemplifies the still life genre, characterized by the depiction of inanimate objects in a composed setting. Iams' use of subtle tones and soft shadows gives the kettle a sense of weight and presence, inviting viewers to contemplate the object's function and history. The minimalist composition, with the kettle centered against a simple background, enhances the subject's prominence and reinforces the artwork's timeless appeal.