Lantern c. 1937

Harry Grossen’s “Lantern” is made with watercolor on paper; a humble medium to depict a humble object. This isn’t so much a ‘look at me’ showstopper, as it is a quiet meditation on light, shadow, and everyday life. I love the limited palette of grays, blacks, and browns, like a rainy day distilled onto paper. It reminds me of a scene I was trying to capture once: the light slanting through a grimy window. What was Grossen thinking as he painted this? I imagine him captivated by the way light catches the metallic surface, the subtle gradations of tone suggesting wear and tear, the passage of time. It’s more than just a lantern; it's a portrait of resilience. There's a conversation happening here, a kind of call-and-response between the artist and the object. And now, between Grossen and us. That’s the beauty of painting, isn’t it?