Pa. German Bridal Box c. 1940

Adele Brooks made this watercolor and graphite rendering of a Pa. German Bridal Box. It's got this monochrome vibe, focusing on texture and form rather than bright colours, which gives it a grounded, handmade feel. Looking closer, the way Brooks uses graphite gives the box a tactile quality. You can almost feel the rough edges and the slightly raised decorations. See how the dove and stars are rendered? They give a sense of depth. The marks aren’t trying to hide; they're part of the story. The bridal box and its symbols suggest a narrative about love, home, and tradition. It reminds me of how artists like Joseph Cornell would take everyday objects and turn them into something magical, creating a whole world in a box. Art isn’t just about what you see, but what it makes you feel and imagine.