China Invalid's Cup c. 1938

Vincent P. Rosel made this drawing of a "China Invalid's Cup" with, I presume, graphite and watercolor. I love that Rosel hasn’t tried to hide the process. The under-drawing is still visible and feels so delicate, like he’s feeling out the shape of the cup as he goes. The cup itself is a rich cobalt blue, and the white floral patterns give it a folksy, handmade feel. The white paint is fairly translucent, and almost looks like the blue is glowing through it. The surface of the painting is quite flat which pushes forward the image of the cup. Take a look at the shadows under the cup, they're subtle and soft, but really bring this object to life! Rosel brings a simple everyday object to our attention. It reminds me of Morandi's still life paintings, where everyday objects are elevated through careful observation and repetition. It's not about perfection, it's about the process and finding beauty in the ordinary.