Keys to John Marshall House c. 1937

Edna Rex made this painting, 'Keys to John Marshall House', and I’m seeing keys rendered in soft browns and blues on a pale background. I can imagine Edna carefully laying down each color, building up the forms of these antique objects. There’s a stillness to the image, almost like a portrait, inviting us to contemplate these humble, functional objects. I think that, for Rex, painting wasn't just about capturing what she saw, but about engaging with the past and with objects that held stories within them. The keys themselves are heavily patinated, and this adds a sense of depth to the painting, the artist seems to suggest something about history. Each key has a particular shape and texture, and in a way, the painting has a certain formal quality as well. It's like she's studying these keys and their forms, as if this close attention to detail reveals something larger. It makes me think about the way artists are always looking and learning from one another. Painting becomes a way to explore our world.