Dutch Bible 1935 - 1942

David S. De Vault's 'Dutch Bible' is rendered with watercolor, presenting a study in form and materiality. The binding's warm hues and the pages' cool tones offer a subtle interplay of colour, while the gold embellishments punctuate the composition with decorative flair. Formally, the Bible is depicted with crisp lines that define its rectangular structure, softened only by the gentle rounding of its spine. The perspective adopted presents a clear, frontal view, inviting an intimate examination of the book's surface textures and details. De Vault employs a straightforward, representational approach. Yet, this careful attention to detail destabilizes the boundary between object and representation, subtly questioning the nature of the real versus the depicted. The artwork serves as a meditation on the book as a cultural artifact. Its presentation, in terms of colour and composition, invites ongoing interpretation.