Blue Urns

The second piece of original Edward Gorey artwork in my collection which was included in the 1974 Graham Gallery Exhibition is titled Blue Urns. As with Two children on a rock (see my posting from July 3, 2009), I believe this piece has not been seen publicly in 35 years.

This incredible piece of art is a masterpiece of Mr. Gorey's imagination and skill. The dragons are particularly wonderful, especially the ones who have slipped off the urns and are slinking around the room. In addition to the pitch-perfect watercolor tones, layers of complex pattern fill the entire piece. The line work is executed in two colors of ink. The detailing on the urns is rendered in blue ink, which provides a subtle contrast to the blacks used elsewhere in the piece.

In one of my classes in college, the professor asked the students to name the one object (not a person or pet) they would save if their home was on fire. I have to admit that this just might be the one thing I would be clutching if this ever happened.