Silver Platter 1935 - 1942

Alfred Nason made this drawing of a silver platter sometime between 1870 and 1920, with graphite, watercolor and possibly some gouache on paper. Just looking at it, I imagine Nason, bent over the paper, carefully marking out the octagonal shape. He was probably thinking hard about the play of light on the metal, capturing its subtle sheen with soft gradations of grey watercolor. The oval in the centre has a beautiful reflective surface. You can almost see your face in it. The artist has really attended to the ornate detailing around the edge of the platter, sketching out floral patterns. There are little notes and sketches dotted around the main drawing which give you a peek into his working process, as if he was workshopping his ideas and developing his designs. It shows that making art is hard work! I always love seeing the evidence of the artist's hand and mind at play.