Eight Day Marine Clock c. 1938

Edward L. Loper made this ‘Eight Day Marine Clock’ using watercolor and graphite. Look closely, and you’ll see a process that's all about layering and detail. There’s a meticulous quality to the way Loper builds up the image, especially in the eagle’s feathers and the ornate details around the clock face. The colors are earthy and muted, giving it a vintage feel, like a treasured antique found in an attic. It’s not just a flat image; there’s a depth and richness that invites you in, to see time not just as a measure, but as something adorned, almost celebrated. The symmetry is striking, with the eagle perched above and the patriotic motifs arranged around the clock. It gives off a similar feeling as the work of Joseph Stella, with the subject matter treated reverentially and with great intricacy. It reminds us that art doesn't have to shout, sometimes it can quietly mark the passage of time, inviting contemplation.